Sun Block

Though tonight is not technically a Game 7, it will serve the same purpose, as it will decide the outcome of the series. Obviously, if the Spurs win, they advance to the Western Conference Finals. But even though a Suns victory would "only" knot the series at three games apiece, there just doesn't seem to be any conceivable way the Spurs could win Game 7. They've already won twice at Phoenix during this series, so the odds are stacked heavily against them doing so a third time in four opportunities. It would also be only the second time at Phoenix this series the Suns would be at full-strength, with the other being a 20-point Suns win. And anytime a team coughs up a 3-2 lead to let the opponent off the canvas to force a Game 7, the momentum swing is so violent it can snap a team's collective neck.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think there is a tremendous amount of pressure on the Spurs tonight. If the Suns lose, people will give them credit for a hard fought series and will hold David Stern more accountable for their playoff exit than anyone on the Phoenix roster. But if the Spurs lose, especially given the late meltdown in Game 4, there will be enough goats in San Antonio to line both sides of the Riverwalk. And given their advancing age, this just might be the Spurs' last great chance at winning their fourth championship.

They absolutely need to follow the lead of their greatest player, as pictured above, and derail the potent Suns attack with the brand of smothering defense that garnered San Antonio their previous three titles. When it's all said and done, if the Spurs are to win and advance, it's once again going to be on the enormous wings of Tim Duncan.