Popovich: Rebounding & shooting are Spurs’ concerns heading into Game 5 vs. Warriors

0

AT&T Center – On Monday, I tweeted this.

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

As the San Antonio Spurs’ key shooters struggle to find their rhythm against the Golden State Warriors four games into their series (2-2), missed shots have become a team-wide issue for the Spurs.

The Spurs are shooting 43% from the field against the Warriors so far in the series and on Tuesday in his pregame press conference before Game 5 begins; Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich mentioned two areas of concern for his team: “rebounding” and “our shooting.”

On the shooting front, the Spurs have gotten quality looks in the series; the problem is they haven’t been able to knock them down. Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Gary Neal are shooting an average of 33% from 3-point range four games into the series.

One positive that could help the Spurs is Tony Parker feeling better after his recent calf injury. Popovich mentioned Parker was feeling better Tuesday and the injury had some effects on  Parker's shooting game four. When Parker wasn’t hobbled, he scored 32 points in game three and the Spurs shot their highest percentage in the series, 51%.

Rebounding has also been an issue for the Spurs as the Warriors are averaging 54.5 rebounds per game while the Spurs are averaging 46.3 per game. The problem is on the defensive glass, the Spurs are giving up 15 offensive rebounds per game. Game four was the most apparent as the Warriors grabbed 19 offensive boards and 65 rebounds overall, the most in the series.

Popovich said rebounding is something you can control and correct, but the shooting is something they cannot control.

Will the Spurs shoot a higher percentage in game five and make the necessary adjustments in the rebounding department? We’ll find out as game 5 is almost set to tip-off.