TheSpread.com

Showdown in Texas

Instead of worrying about how the San Antonio Spurs won Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Steve Nash is more interested in why the Phoenix Suns lost.

``I'd like to give them all the credit in the world, I think they're a terrific team,'' Nash said Sunday. ``But I know those are shots we make and are capable of making.''

LeBron Stumped

LeBron James has no intention of letting the New Jersey Nets turn him into an outside shooter and passer again.

While many may point to another triple-double by Jason Kidd or the Nets' ability to rebound and score in transition as the keys to Game 3 on Saturday, the real difference was New Jersey's success in keeping the 22-year-old Cavs superstar on the outside with myriad defenses.

Warriors Crowd Pumped

Jerry Sloan has been on the Utah Jazz's bench since before Golden State's Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis were born. The veteran coach has seen and heard just about everything that could decide a playoff series.

And the Golden State Warriors' home crowd doesn't qualify.

Pistons Crushing Bulls

As he stood by his locker, surrounded by notepads and microphones, Rasheed Wallace was in a hurry to finish this thing. No, not the postgame interview.

He wanted to end this Eastern Conference semifinal, and with a 3-0 lead over the Chicago Bulls, the Detroit Pistons can do just that Sunday.

Fighting Words

Amare Stoudemire's accusation that the Spurs are a ``dirty team'' should really fire up the already rugged playoff series between Phoenix and San Antonio.

Shouldn't it?

Well, it didn't appear to do much for the Spurs, who had their first chance Friday to respond to Stoudemire's comments and mostly said they weren't all that bothered.