San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Preview

The San Antonio Spurs come into the Western conference finals as the hottest team in the league, sweeping both their series so far. The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming in fresh off a handling of the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Youth will meet experience in this showdown, but don’t be fooled, the Spurs have plenty of youth with them.

The Spurs have won 18 games in a row, which spans over most of April and so far all of May. The Spurs have won most of those games by double digits, and will be looking to show the Thunder why they are the class of the league. Oklahoma City comes in ready to prove that they are ready to take the next step and move on to the NBA Finals. It is their second consecutive year in the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Mavericks 4-1 last year.

San Antonio can, without a doubt, win this series. I would even say they are the favorite, though many fans will be wanting a Miami Heat and Thunder finals matchup. This series will not be a quick one I believe; rather, this series could go the distance. In the regular season, the Spurs won two of three games, but played all those without Manu Ginobili.

Here are three reasons why I think the Spurs will this series

1. Experience – The Spurs Big 3 – Tim Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker, have played 130 playoff games together. The Thunder duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have far, far less experience. The Spurs may have some young guys, but they will follow the example of their older counterparts.
2. Defense – The Spurs will have a tough time guarding Durant and Westbrook, but I think the Spurs will show people that they can. Rookie Kawhi Leonard, Daniel Green, and Stephen Jackson will all get their chance to slow down Durant, and I think they will. Both players will still get their points, but the Spurs will make them work the entire way.
3. Offense – The Thunder’s offensive skills are not doubted, and they have the chance to keep up with the Spurs. San Antonio leads the league in field goal and three point percentage. They have so many weapons that you cannot focus on just one player. The Spurs are going to score their points. WIll the Thunder be able to keep up?