Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008

SAN ANTONIO -- Consecutive third-quarter breakdowns. Tough nights for their top players. And now, an 0-2 deficit to a young and athletic team.

It's all happening to the San Antonio Spurs, the defending NBA champions.

The Spurs, who came into this series looking like their usual dominant selves after dispatching the Phoenix Suns in just five games, are struggling against the Hornets and searching for answers before Thursday's Game 3.

"It's always a worry when you're down two, no matter what it is," Tim Duncan said after Monday's Game 2 blowout loss.

The Spurs are trying to win back-to-back titles for the first time. Each of the last three times the Spurs have sought to defend a title, they've been eliminated in the conference semifinals or earlier.

The last time the Spurs were down 0-2 was 2001, when they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals. But the Spurs' first two losses that season were at home before suffering blowouts on the road.

It may not be panic time yet. San Antonio has a chance to even the series with two victories at home.

The Hornets, led first by David West and then Chris Paul, have beat the Spurs by 18 and 19 points in the first two games.

"We are for real," coach Byron Scott said.

Scott said he's confident his squad can get a win in San Antonio, where the Spurs lost just seven games this season, including one to the Hornets.

"We're in a groove right now," said Hornets center Tyson Chandler.

The Spurs have also been in the Hornets' position, only to go on to lose a series. In 2004, San Antonio was up 2-0 against the Lakers before losing the next four in the conference semifinals.

"I still think people, even though we're up 2-0, still think we're going to lose the series," Scott said. "What we've done is get everybody's attention."

In both Games 1 and 2, the third quarter was pivotal. On Monday, the Hornets outscored the Spurs 36-18 in the third period; in Game 1, it was 29-17.

Duncan had a career playoff-low five points and just three rebounds in Game 1. He scored 18 points in Game 2, but Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili struggled, combining to shoot 9-of-24 from the field for 24 points. Ginobili also had five of the Spurs' 15 turnovers.

"We're playing against a very good team and twice they've done the same thing," Parker said. "They jumped on us in the third quarter. From there, you know, we've had a hard time coming back. We just have to find a way to play better in the second half, especially the third quarter."

Duncan said the key for the Spurs will be to play better defense - something that's always been San Antonio's specialty and the word that ends each team huddle.

"We have to find a way to get stops and play off of that," he said. "That's how our team always works - try to get some stops and try to push it back at them - and we seem to, every time we do get a stop, they're on the offensive glass and making plays. We've got to find a way to counter that a little bit better."

Chandler said the Hornets will focus on keeping Parker and Ginobili away from the rim for easy layups. And doubling Duncan has worked so far for New Orleans, leaving the Spurs to go to outside shooters instead.

"Our whole game plan is to keep them out of our paint," Chandler said. "As long as we keep Tony and Ginobili out and keep their guys shooting jump shots, we'll be all right."

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