Official Western Conference Finals Game 1 Thunder at Spurs Game Thread (Sun @ 7:30)

[Eddy from Austin]

San Antonio 50-16 (1 seed)
Oklahoma City 47-19 (2 seed)

SEASON SERIES
San Antonio took the season series 2-1, however all the games were in March and earlier, these teams are different now.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE RANKINGS (points per 100 possession)


San Antonio: offense 108.5 (1st in NBA); defense 100.6 (11th)
Oklahoma City: offense 107.1 (2nd); defense 100 (9th)

THREE KEY SPURS:

Tony Parker: He outdueled Chris Paul, so as his reward he gets Russell Westbrook. In one key regular season meeting between these teams Gregg Popovich asked Parker to attack Westbrook on offense, to wear him down and make him work at both ends, he did taking 29 shots. It worked. Expect a lot of that this series. On the other end, Parker is going to have to defend the pick-and-roll as well as he did last series (although don�t be shocked if Popovich has Parker cover Thabo Sefolosha and puts Denny Green on Westbrook for long stretches).

Tim Duncan: He has been fantastic in these playoffs, but the �old man� is about to be put to the test with the long and athletic Serge Ibaka shadowing him. Duncan and Parker (and Manu Ginobili) will keep the ball moving until the Spurs get open shots, but they have to produce themselves as well. Duncan has to get points inside against a big front line of Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins.

Kawhi Leonard: He is the guy who is assigned the impossible task of guarding Kevin Durant. Nobody is stopping as good a pure scorer as there is the game, but if he can make Durant really work for his points � keep him shooting contested long jumpers � and not be efficient, it will put pressure on the Thunder to keep up with all the points the Spurs offense will score.

THREE KEY THUNDER:

Russell Westbrook: To me, Westbrook is the key to this series. San Antonio did a great job containing Chris Paul by zoning him off on the wing, but that�s not how Westbrook attacks off the pick-and-roll � Westbrook prefers to off near the top of the key and dive straight down the lane to the basket. It�s harder for the Spurs to defend and if Westbrook can get into the paint he can get the Thunder the points they will need to hang in this series and win it.

On the other end of the floor, he has to make Parker work for his shots, get the ball out of his hands and contain him on the pick-and-roll. Nothing is stopping the Spurs offense, but the Thunder need to find a way to slow it.

Kevin Durant: This is obvious, but in a series where the Thunder need to put up points they will need big, efficient nights from him. That means not all pull up jumpers, he needs to get to the rim as well. Last meeting between these teams he was 8-19 shooting, he needs to be better this time around.

James Harden: Harden is the Sixth man of the Year, but the Spurs are deeper and get fantastic bench production. Harden needs to keep the Thunder together and in it

OUTLOOK

This will get painted as a �pass the torch� series with the rising Thunder trying to take the mantle as the next great team in the West. In reality, the Thunder are going to have to rip that torch out of the Spurs hands, San Antonio isn�t done with it.

These are the two best offenses in the association and this whole series really boils down to this � which team can get more consistent stops.

It�s going to be hard for the Thunder, despite their length and athleticism. The Spurs offense uses pressure and fantastic ball movement to get the shots they want � at the rim, the corner three, or specific jumpers like Duncan�s 15-foot bank. Their shots. San Antonio will wait for the eager and active Thunder defense to overreact to something then in two quick passes get a good look or a matchup they want. They did it in the regular season matchups between these teams.

Another key for San Antonio and its ball movement is good look jump shots � the Spurs will take a lot of spot-up jumpers but are getting a very good 1.18 points per possession off it so far in the playoffs (via MySynergySports). Those looks are often corner threes � Oklahoma City has to rotate fast and challenge those corner threes and all Spurs shooters, something they have done well in the playoffs (top field goal percentage against on spot ups).

Spurs biggest challenge will be defending the pick-and-roll � they have done it well in the playoffs but this will be a different look and speed. Chris Paul tried to attack them from the wing, but Westbrook will attack from the top of the key, trying to turn and run down the lane and get his own points. They have to stop him out high, make him shoot jumpers, because if he gets into the lane the Spurs lack the big-man shot blocker too stop him.

This series is fascinating because of the matchup chess that will go on. In the playoffs Popovich has liked to play Parker, Danny Green and Ginobili together � will Scott Brooks counter by going big and forcing Green to try and cover Durant. Will Parker get time defending Thabo Sefolosha so the more athletic Green can go on Westbrook. Will the Thunder ignore Serge Ibaka on the pick-and-pop, and can he make them pay for it?

This series is so close. But if it becomes a chess match, you have to like Popovich against Brooks.

[KAD]

Somehow I don't think this series will be as close as it might seem specially if the Spurs get the 1st win!

[Eddy from Austin]

SPURS 109
THUNDER 97

[spurscrazed]

Originally Posted by KAD

Somehow I don't think this series will be as close as it might seem specially if the Spurs get the 1st two wins!

I fixed that for you.

Spurs can't afford to lose games 1 or 2 at home.... Oklahoma will win the series only if Spurs slept walk the first two games.

Spurs know they need to play Sharp & Smart Basketball and shake any rust from the long wait between round 2 and 3.

TP & Spurs will have to start very aggressive and very confident.

Zero Room for errors here! Do or Die... This is the PO Baby!

Spurs ARE the Better TEAM players and will prove it!

Let's keep Westbrook in check, KD alone can't win it.

Huge match of energy is needed.

I expect Spurs to come fresh and ready to ROCK at Home Sweet Home especially since the AT & T will ROCK as our fans will be loud and proud. And since I am going to be in attendance representing!!!!!

Spurs 101
OkC 94

Go Spurs Go!

[esparzar1]

High scoring game in the works......

Spurs 111

Thunder 104

[Mr.MULLETINO]

First game is gonna be a blowout. It's hard to beat the Spurs at home

[Mr.MULLETINO]

Spurs 104
OKC 89

[TexianChick]

Celebrating this match-up with old friends!! They crossed the Red River into Spurs fan zone wearing gear from a little team called Thunder, and we live near Mavs Territory!

Will be wootin' it up in Silver & Black CHAMPIONSHIP shirts at the sports bar!

Bring it!

Spurs by 13!

[Mombear]

Spurs 116
OKC 110

GO GO

[Joe Tango from San Diego]

Spurs 112-98...

[katyspursfan]

Maybe not as off-balance as it could have been, but Manu ended the first quarter all right.

[fabio]

Originally Posted by katyspursfan

Maybe not as off-balance as it could have been, but Manu ended the first quarter all right.

Manu is the only bright spot in the team so far, followed by Diaw and Leonard. Everybody else is sucking ball and has to wake up in the second half. Yes, I know you hate Manu to guts, but it is what it is: without Manu, we would be 10-15 points down

[Guille]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuu
Freakinggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ggggggggggggg
Ginooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooobili

[lynn7mo]

Fabio, may I steal your gif?

[fabio]

Originally Posted by lynn7mo

Fabio, may I steal your gif?

of course

[ATHENEA]

[spurscrazed]

Great Grind it Win for the Spurs!!!

Manu Was HUGE!!!!!

Thanks Manu for starting everything... That is one heck of a Champion!!!!

Mnau is tough tough tough tough to beat and he will NOT allow us to lose!

Then in the fourth it was such a GREAT Finale.....

SJXON and Gary Neal were GREAT!

Of course TD and TP were fantastic at the fourth.

Game one is a Spurs win and in the books.

Get ready for game 2 where ALL Spurs TEAM will play united as one team one goal one destiny to the finals or a bust!!!!! GAME 2 is war~~!! Spurs win BIG!

Go Spurs Go

[spurduncan21]

Originally Posted by spurscrazed

Great Grind it Win for the Spurs!!!

Manu Was HUGE!!!!!

Thanks Manu for starting everything... That is one heck of a Champion!!!!

Mnau is tough tough tough tough to beat and he will NOT allow us to lose!

Then in the fourth it was such a GREAT Finale.....

SJXON and Gary Neal were GREAT!

Of course TD and TP were fantastic at the fourth.

Game one is a Spurs win and in the books.

Get ready for game 2 where ALL Spurs TEAM will play united as one team one goal one destiny to the finals or a bust!!!!! GAME 2 is war~~!! Spurs win BIG!

Go Spurs Go

I highly doubt game 2 will be as close as game 1 now that spurs have shaken their rust off and several players already have laid their eggs. Expect a much better game from Diaw, TP, Green and a Little more from Timmy (who had a good game)

[spurscrazed]

Originally Posted by spurduncan21

I highly doubt game 2 will be as close as game 1 now that spurs have shaken their rust off and several players already have laid their eggs. Expect a much better game from Diaw, TP, Green and a Little more from Timmy (who had a good game)

Right On spurduncan21!!!

I expect Spurs by tomorrow to have shaken off that rust completely.

Spurs are now back to the Normal Almighty Powerful Spurs TEAM
Spurs will be ready and can't wait till Tuesday night to step on that GAS PEDAL steadily fiercely and never let go! Spurs will mop the floor with dos thunders... Just wait & See!!!

Watch out OKC you have awaken a sleepy GIANT Hungry Chupacabra NASTY Spurs TEAM!!!!!

[katyspursfan]

The chupacabra looks a lot like a Griffin.