2013 NBA Playoffs: Sweeping First Round Series Should Be Easy for San Antonio Spurs


Even with Kobe Bryant out with his Achilles injury for the Los Angeles Lakers, many people believed that the first round series between the San Antonio Spurs and L.A. would be one of the best and most closely contested of the NBA Playoffs. However, with game four set to be played on Sunday and the Spurs holding a 3-0 lead in the series, that turned out not to be the case.

The Spurs have been the dominant team in this series and they have done it in multiple ways. Manu Ginobili has been an x-factor for a game. Tony Parker has been the star for another game. Tim Duncan drank from the fountain of youth and dominated for a couple of games. San Antonio has just been dominant and the injury-riddled Lakers haven’t had an answer.

Now, with the Spurs looking to sweep Los Angeles on Sunday, it doesn’t look like San Antonio will have much trouble. Not only are the Lakers without Kobe, but they are also going to be without Steve Blake, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace again. Given that their two best guards beyond Kobe and their best perimeter defenders won’t be playing, that bodes well for the Spurs.

The Spurs should be able to have a great deal of success with their perimeter shooting without World Peace being there to close out. Parker should also continue to dominate against the sub-par defending of Lakers guards. Other than their matchup against Dwight Howard, the Spurs have almost every matchup advantage on the floor.

Though the Lakers made a great run to get into the playoffs, it seems pretty clear that they will make an early exit at the hands of the Spurs. The Spurs seem to be kicking things into gear now and the Lakers don’t have the man-power to do much about it. It would be a major surprise if the Spurs don’t finish off L.A. on Sunday.

Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.

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