Old West vs. New West
Thunder Or Spurs…Who will win the Western Conference Finals?
Check the jump for a preview of this series.
Game 1 is scheduled this Sunday on TNT with a tip-off set for 8:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
The Dallas Mavericks, The Los Angeles Lakers and The San Antonio Spurs have been the only teams to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals since 1999. This year, Oklahoma City has already eliminated the past two champions in Dallas and Los Angeles with hopes to do the same against the San Antonio Spurs marking a new era for the West. While Oklahoma City lost a game to Los Angeles in the semi-finals, the Spurs are undefeated in the playoffs as both teams have won 16 of their 17 games in the playoffs thus far. Neither team has been seriously tested, so it’s going to be interesting to see how each team adjusts to one another in the conference finals. Heading into the Conference Finals for this Memorial Weekend, the Spurs are the hottest team ever to enter into a conference finals as they have won 29 of their last 31 games dating back to March.
Although known in the past for their tough defensive mentality; with the incorporation of new backcourt players Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, the Spurs finished the NBA this season as the highest scoring team in the NBA. Coincidently, led by the NBA’s scoring leader, star point guard, and 6th man of the year, the Thunder finished 2nd offensively for the season. But the big difference between both teams is the Thunder rely on heavy isolations with their big three who excel at driving to rim, drawing fouls and long distance treys; while the Spurs spaces the floor from the 1-4 seeking high-percentage shots with the player in the best position to score. The biggest difference for the Spurs this series in comparison to the Jazz and the Clippers who had great offensive front court players, will be guarding the Thunders backcourt tandem of Durant, Westbrook and Harden. You’re probably asking yourself why I am not bringing up the Thunder frontcourt of Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka. Well offensively, they’re not a threat to the Spurs like Al Jefferson and Blake Griffin were in the previous two rounds which will save the Spurs bigs energy for the offensive end. With the rebirth Boris Diaw and his ability to stretch the floor with his long range shooting ability, that should be enough to keep the floor spaced enough for Tim Duncan to battle Kendrick Perkins one on one.
Forward, Kawhi Leonard who’s emerged as the Spurs best perimeter defensive player this year will have the biggest task this series as he has to guard the scoring champ Kevin Durant who’s virtually unstoppable by anybody in the NBA offensively. If and when Leonard gets into foul trouble any game, veteran Stephen Jackson will be called upon to guard Durant if needed in which San Antonio’s depth advantage comes into play. Then you have Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is the key for the Thunder to win this series as he will be asked to play his best basketball of his career thus far. Tony Parker isn’t expected to slow him down single-handedly as the Spurs will look to help him defensively like they did last round committing only to Chris Paul. Spurs could use the same strategy against Westbrook but unlike the Clippers, the Thunder have 2 other bona fide back court stars in Harden and Durant.
On the flip side for the Thunder, they haven’t played against an elite point guard ever in the playoffs with this current team constructed. Tony Parker stated Wednesday, “We’re definitely going to go at him. It’s not going to be like Dallas or the Lakers” referring to Thunder guard, Russell Westbrook. Tony Parker’s been having a low-key MVP season as he’s led the Spurs to tie for the best overall record in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls. Parker and Westbrook are both expected to get the best of each other offensively, but another the key to this series will be which team can stop the opposing point guard. Both have been most effective scorers in the paint this year at the point guard position Oklahoma City will have to rely on their front court of Perkins and Ibaka while San Antonio’s team defense will be required to stop Westbrook. In their regular season meetings, guard Manu Ginóbili missed all 3 games in which San Antonio won 2. Ginobili and Harden are expected to have the 2nd biggest key match-up this series as both players are the leading scorers from each bench. Thus far, the Spurs have lead the NBA this season and playoffs in point production thru Ginobli in addition to new arrivals Patty Mills and Stephen Jackson.
Predictions? While this is the 2nd consecutive trip to the Western Conference finals for the young and hungry Thunder, the experienced and fundamentally sound Spurs are the favorites in the basketball world to win this series as well as the Larry O’Brien trophy next month. With San Antonio on a current winning streak of 18, expect this series to go a minimum of 5 games with the home team winning game 7 if it goes the distance.
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Oklahoma City Thunder | Series Tied 0-0
Regular season series (San Antonio won 2-1)
Game 1: at SAS, Sun. May 27, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2: at SAS, Tue. May 29, 9 p.m., TNT
Game 3: at OKC, Thu. May 31, 9 p.m., TNT
Game 4: at OKC, Sat. June 2, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5: at SAS, Mon. June 4, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)
Game 6: at OKC, Wed. June 6, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)
Game 7: at SAS, Fri. June 8, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)