No. 3 San Antonio Spurs vs. No.6 Phoenix Suns

Spurs, Suns set for encore performance

Last season: Spurs won NBA title; Suns lost to Spurs in second round of the playoffs.

Overview: These teams met in that memorable second-round series in '07 when the Spurs' Robert Horry knocked Suns point guard Steve Nash into the scorer's table, causing Phoenix players to come to their teammate's defense and Amare Stoudemire, among others, to be suspended. San Antonio went on to win in six games.

In order to better deal with the Spurs and Tim Duncan in the postseason, Suns general manager Steve Kerr went out and landed Shaquille O'Neal in a mid-season trade. While there has been a learning curve for the Suns incorporating O'Neal, all seem to be on the same page now. Phoenix will find out quickly if giving up the all-around production of Shawn Marion for O'Neal was worth it.

Nash, a two-time MVP, had another fine season. He averaged 16.9 points and 11.1 assists. Stoudemire, thanks to O'Neal's presence, is able to play power forward instead of center. He's been able to stay healthy this year, playing in 79 regular season games, averaging 25.2 points and 9.1 boards. Stoudemire should be able to avoid some of the foul trouble that has plagued him in past playoff games now that O'Neal is there to clog up the lane defensively. While Shaq isn't the offensive threat he was earlier in his career, his trade to the Suns seems to have given him some renewed energy. Ex-Jazz players Raja Bell and Gordan Giricek along with Leandro Barbosa give Phoenix 3-point shooting. Grant Hill has been bothered by an injured groin, but it's the playoffs, so expect him to be out there.

The Spurs, meanwhile, are still the team to beat in the West. The big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker all average about 19 points per game. Bruce Bowen is still one of the best defenders in the league and Kurt Thomas gives them a big body that has been through plenty of battles. Horry and Brent Barry have been hobbled, but both are capable of coming off the bench to hit big 3-point jumpers.

Prediction: This could be the best series of them all in the West, like it was last year. Despite the Suns' new look, however, the end result will likely be the same. Spurs in seven.

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Season series: Suns won, 3-1

Today at Spurs, 1 p.m.
Tuesday at Spurs, 7:30 p.m.
Friday at Suns, 8:30 p.m.
April 27 at Suns, 1:30 p.m.
April 29 at Spurs, TBA *
May 1 at Suns, TBA *
May 3 at Spurs, TBA *

* if necessary

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E-mail: lojo@desnews.com

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