The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder will certainly satisfy in the Western Seminar finals.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder will fulfill in the Western Seminar finals for the second time in 3 years, starting with Game 1 tonight at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
In 2012, the Thunder dominated in 6 games to advance to the NBA Finals. They shed to the Miami Warmth, but the Spurs could relate, falling to LeBron James and business in 2013.
In spite of the success 2 years ago, and sweep (4-0) of the series throughout this past routine season, the Thunder are 10-12 against the Spurs in 22 regular- season conferences given that the team transferred to Oklahoma City.
The teams were Nos. 1 and 2 throughout most of the 2013-14 period.
"Players step up and play well," mentioned Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "There aren't really shocks.".
"We're extremely aware of exactly what they do," Thunder trainer Scott Brooks shared. "They're a very good basketball team. They're well coached. They have great gamers, good role players, excellent bench players and they have a style of play that demands that you have fun with terrific initiative for the entire shot clock.".
The Spurs needed 7 video games to obtain past the eighth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the preliminary, then took five games to ideal the Portland Path Blazers. Oklahoma City survived a physical seven-game collection with the Memphis Grizzlies, then knocked off the L.a Clippers in six.
Injuries will play a role in this series, beginning with Tony Parker. The Spurs' All-Star point guard suffered a Grade 1 weakening pressure in Video game 5 against Portland, however should be good to go by Monday.
The very same can not be claimed for Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City's premier defensive big male. A calf bone injury will certainly keep him out for the rest of the postseason, which is a substantial strike for the Thunder. Ibaka would possibly be charged with covering future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan.
As for which changes him in the beginning lineup, Brooks has choices. Nick Collison could make one of the most sense as a veteran and a solid defensive presence. Steven Adams might help fight the dimension of the Spurs.
Duncan, at 38, is leading the Spurs in mins throughout the postseason, while scoring 15.8 points with 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Parker is averaging 19.3 points and 4.9 assists.
San Antonio's biggest challenge will certainly be quiting OKC's two-headed monster of organization MVP Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. They've been marvelous in the postseason and will stand for a huge activity for Parker and Kawhi Leonard.
Durant was named MVP for the first time and has proceeded his incredible play in the postseason. He is averaging 31.4 factors, 9.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, however his shooting numbers are below the regular period. Durant is playing nearly 45 mins a video game which may take its toll.
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Westbrook has been very strong in the postseason, averaging 26.6 factors, 8.0 rebounds and 8.4 helps. He has actually signed up three triple-doubles during these playoffs and that's three greater than the remainder of the NBA combined.
Game 2 will be Wednesday night in San Antonio.
