San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
Top Performers:
Tony Parker (SAS): 18.4ppg, 5.2apg, .429 3P%(vs. POR)
Kevin Durant (OKC): 33.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 5.3apg (vs. LAC)
The Spurs In:
[vs.POR]
108.8 points scored
74.8 points against
In five games, the Spurs have already released a statement that did not sound so obvious in the first round: the inexperienced have no place in the NBA playoffs. The Blazers entered the second round white hot, with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge riding the waves. The Spurs, however, were unmoved, and doused cold water upon them in more ways than one: they protected Aldridge's midrange territory, matched up against Portland's role players (Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum most especially), and schooled, through Tony Parker, Lillard in offense. Once again, the Spurs defied the challenges of Father Time, and are now ready to face their biggest challenge: a healthy Thunder team that can run like crazy. In the end, it's a question of who can set the pace.
The Thunder In:
[vs. LAC]
107.2 points scored
106.3 points against
You can't blame Kevin Durant for ruining Doc Rivers' first year as the Clippers coach. While the Clippers were fully armed with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan, they do not have any wingman to properly guard Durant and prevent him from hitting thirty in every game. Add to that the fact that Russell Westbrook has outwitted all of Los Angeles' Guards, who couldn't put themselves together again. This time, they are going to enter the Western Conference Finals with Westbrook and an awful game 5 decision at their backs. And perhaps it's not a question of putting themselves together but making it work against a more experienced team whom Coach Scott Brooks know have tricks hidden in their black and silver sleeves. In other words, more is expected from Durant not merely as a scorer but a leader of a competitive team.
What could be: It's the promise of gaining their first ever crown that might lead the Thunder out of an experienced Spurs Team. OKC in seven.
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