Bordow: And the Suns-Spurs winner is …

I can come up with several good reasons why the Suns will finally slay their dragon and beat the San Antonio Spurs in a playoff series.

1. In Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix finally has a big man who can somewhat neutralize Tim Duncan. O’Neal’s presence also should help Amare Stoudemire stay out of foul trouble.

2. Manu Ginobili has been bothered by a groin injury. If he isn’t his usual explosive self, he won’t kill the Suns as he has in the past.

3. Grant Hill has done a terrific job on Tony Parker in the fourth quarter during the regular season, allowing Steve Nash to move to Bruce Bowen and get some rest on the defensive end.

4. San Antonio doesn’t have as many capable 3-point shooters as it has in the past. That will allow Phoenix to double-team and trap Duncan more aggressively when O’Neal is out of the game.

5. The basketball gods have to be on Phoenix’s side, given what happened in last year’s series.

So I’m picking the Suns, right?

Nope. Don’t ask me why, but I have a hunch San Antonio will rise to the occasion and give Suns’ fans another summer of heartbreak.

Spurs in seven.