Both the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first round series in a canter and should be refreshed as the Western Conference semi-finals get underway at the AT&T Center. Join The Roar for live scores from 11:30am (AEST).
Both teams had comprehensive wins in their respective first round series, leading to this early start for their conference semi-final series. Around the league tomorrow, there are still two first-round series to be concluded.
The Spurs came up against the Grizzlies in their series, winning in a canter and never looking challenged. After taking the first two games on home court by 32 and 26 points respectively, they went out on the road by 9 and 21 points.
They were able to play their starters for limited minutes which will be a huge boost moving forward.
Oklahoma on the other hand dropped one game to the Dallas Mavericks at home in what was a surprise loss. Other than that they were strong though, and their attack flowed solidly throughout the series.
The sides actually split their season series, which may come as a surprise to some given the inconsistency of the Thunder at certain points of the season. In saying that, they were strong at home and seemed to rise to the occasion getting the job done there.
One of the biggest hurdles the Thunder will have to overcome in this match – and indeed throughout the entire series – is the Spurs home court advantage. While the Thunder may well be able to win on their home court, and in fact I would almost expect them to, winning in San Antonio will be a different challenge of their own.
The Spurs – as every other team did – played 41 regular season games there, and lost a grand total of just one. The Thunder managed to force overtime in their second match there, but it has been the impossible task for teams right across the league.
If you look at it from an on court perspective things won’t get much easier. Tim Duncan leading the defence inside will be a massive hurdle to overcome, and one of the most creative players in the league – Russell Westbrook – will not only need to lead the Thunder offence, but find Kevin Durant constant good shots throughout the game.
If Durant can’t put up similar – or more than likely – better numbers on the scoring end then he has done all year, the Thunder will struggle. His numbers, as always have been great but you just feel he will need to go another level to outclass the Spurs.
Prediction
I don’t expect there too be much in it, but it is tough to see a refreshed Spurs outfit losing at home.
Spurs by 7.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this clash from 11:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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