The NBA playoffs Conference Finals matchups are set, and so are the schedules. Here are the official SWN predictions, complete with dates, times and TV channels where you can watch all the hardcourt action.
Western Conference Finals: No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder
Game 1 Monday, May 19, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2 Wednesday, May 21, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3 Sunday, May 25, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4 Tuesday, May 27, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5* Thursday, May 29, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 6* Saturday, May 31, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 7* Monday, June 2, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
The San Antonio Spurs entered the postseason as the favorite to reach the Finals, and after a rough first series looked the part of a No. 1 seed in throttling the Portland Trailblazers. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, has vacillated between powerhouse and unwatchable morass in two difficult series vs. the Grizzlies and Clippers. This rematch of the 2012 West Finals is the matchup most fans wanted to see, but both teams are very different from the first time they met.
Spurs Advantages:
Gregg Popovich- Popovich is widely considered the best coach in the NBA, while Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks is a proven motivator but lacks at times in the X's and O's department. OKC has the horses, but Popovich's brain power is not to be underestimated.
Kawhi Leonard- Kevin Durant is the MVP of the league, but Leonard is exactly the type of player necessary to slow him down a bit. Realistically, there's probably not a human being alive capable of stopping KD from getting his, but Leonard could be equipped to force him into the realm of inefficiency.
Offensive Consistency- The Spurs, when clicking, are able to overcome their athletic disadvantage by baiting the eager OKC defenders into gambles that take them out of position. Tony Parker's quickness and ability to trick Russell Westbrook into mistakes on the defensive end will be paramount to victory.
Thunder Advantages:
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook- Clearly this seems a bit obvious, but as talented as the Clippers were they flat out couldn't handle this dynamic duo. Memphis could, and very nearly upset them. When the Thunder blew past San Antonio in 2012 after falling in a 2-0 hole, it was because this pair exploded. When they're clicking OKC is almost unbeatable.
Serge Ibaka's Shooting- Like Bosh in the East, Ibaka's become a dead-eye shooter from 18 feet, and has reliable 3-point ability. He can shoot San Antonio into breaking up their twin towers Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter down low, clearing space for Westbrook to obliterate them on drives to the rack.
Reggie Jackson- Jackson's become a backup guard, rather than a backup point guard. When he's on the floor, San Antonio's older legs won't have any respite from constant probing and attacking, which could wear on them as the series progresses.
Prediction: Thunder in 7. OKC will get their doors blown off once or twice, return the favor once or twice, but eventually reach the Finals on the backs of their two stars. As good as Leonard is, he eventually will be bested by the MVP and his sidekick who have become the NBA's premier one-two punch.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
