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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 3: Cavaliers As Avengers, Parker’s Revival And ‘TAKE THAT FOR DATA’

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a dunk in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a dunk in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 17, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Parker Revival

Once again, Kawhi Leonard was the story of the San Antonio Spurs‘ latest playoff victory. After tying his career-high with 32 points in Game 1, he was even better in Game 2, dropping a new career-high 37 points while making all 19 of his free throws.

But rather than regurgitate what everyone else wants to talk about today, someone should probably mention the encouraging Tony Parker Renaissance through the first two games of this series.

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/854158868502372352

Leonard’s 69 points on 28 shots remain the biggest reason San Antonio is up 2-0 in this series, but it bodes well for the Spurs’ championship hopes if TP can continue to harness his inner self from five years ago.

In fact, through the first two games of the series, Parker has arguably been more effective than Mike Conley, or at least played him to a standstill:

  • Parker:  33 points, 46 minutes, 14-27 FG (51.9%), 5-7 3P (71.4%)
  • Conley:  37 points, 68 minutes, 13-32 FG (40.6%), 6-12 3P (50%)

In the first half of Game 2, Parker had 12 points as the Spurs led by as many as 26 points. In the second half, Parker only had three points and the Grizzlies were able to chop the lead down to four  midway through the fourth quarter.

It’s pretty simple, even for a team that has a bonafide MVP candidate and an underrated amount of depth: When Tony Parker is on, the Spurs are legitimately dangerous, even to a team like the Golden State Warriors.