The Spurs are going to the NBA Playoffs Western Conference finals as they win Game 7 and this series 4-3 over New Orleans, 91-82 Monday night.  The Spurs advance to face the Lakers in the Western Conference finals beginning Wednesday in Los Angeles.  Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 26 points and hit 6 straight free throws in the final minute of the game.  Tony Parker had 17 points and Tim Duncan had 16 points and 14 rebounds.  Spurs won this game in the third quarter, turned in a strong defensive period and Finley and Horry combined for three 3-pointers down the stretch to give the Spurs a 71-56 lead at the end of the third quarter.  West led the Hornets with 20 points, while Paul and Jannero Pargo each added 18.  Chandler had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Hornets, who cut a deficit as large as 17 down to 3 inside the final two minutes.  The oddsmakers at bodoglife.com currently have the LA Lakers -7 favorites to San Antonio heading into this NBA Playoff betting matchup Wednesday night.

I am glad the Lakers are facing the Spurs for the Western Conference finals, to be the best you have to beat the best.  The Spurs have been the best for the past few years, this will be a big challenge for the Lakers. For the Hornets it was a nice ride, they just could not get it done at the end.  Hornets fans have to thank their team for the great season, they can get a lot better.  Hats off to the Spurs for there play.  Give the Hornets props they took the champs to 7 games, everyone thought for sure the Spurs were going to roll over them but I said no, the Hornets are very very good and well surprise you, and they did. 

Lakers vs. Spurs, the two best coaches in the league, and two of the best teams in the league.  It should be an awesome series.  Before the playoffs started everyone was all ready crowning the LA Lakers champs this year.  The Lakers are saying they are better than the Hornets but they split the season series with them.  Spurs just played David West, who is clearly better than Lamar Odom of the Lakers.  Also remember, the Spurs played the same team, Utah last year and won in 5 games, and LA took them 7 games this year.  Only time will tell who is better.

---