Round 2: Spurs (2) vs. Thunder (3)

[Nolan]

The schedule:

GM 1: OKC at SAS, Apr. 30 TBD TNT
GM 2: OKC at SAS, May 2, 9:30 PM ET TNT
GM 3: SAS at OKC, May 6, 9:30 PM ET ESPN
GM 4: SAS at OKC, May 8, 8:00 PM ET TNT
GM 5: OKC at SAS, May 10 TNT | If Needed
GM 6: SAS at OKC, May 12 ESPN | If Needed
GM 7: OKC at SAS, May 15 TNT | If Needed

The Thunder somewhat easily handled the Mav's in the first round but they didn't exactly look great doing it. They're execution, discipline and focus all seemed to be lacking from what I saw and they just simply out talented the Mav's.

This is going to be a far tougher series for us but if we execute on both ends we should come out on top. We've got to control the pace and own the paint.

As always we're going to need Kawhi to carry us on both ends. We're also going to need some of Danny's amazing defense, both in transition and in the half court. He's more than likely going to get the job of guarding Westbrook and he's going to have to do a good job if we want to win this series.

So how do you fellas see this series going?

[imagump1313]

I really can't make a prediction because I'm soo unsure about how this particular Spurs team is going to play under pressure. Sure we won a ton of games against a bunch of crappy regular season opponents, but the only real threats to win a title this year (GS, Cleveland and OKC) handled us pretty easily. WE split with Cleveland but barely won at home while getting blown out there, Golden State pretty much date-raped us except for one home game which we barely won. The only reason we split with OKC (while being beaten handily there and barely winning here) was because it took us overtime to beat their scrub team.

If we play offense aggressively throughout, I can see us winning in 5-6 games, but if we play the same sloppy, tentative, pump fake fade away jumper as the shot clock expires offense we seem to fall into all season, I can see OKC winning this in 5-6 games.

[imagump1313]

I hate to be so negative but we haven't beaten a contending team on the road all season, we haven't even come close or even competed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we wake up now.

[bondom34]

Just wanted to drop in to say here's to a competetive and healthy series. Whoever wins this one is who I want coming out of the West, and this is the start of what I've been looking forward to this year in the playoffs (though I'm sure I'll be stressed out anyway). See you Saturday!

[Phreak50]

The key is the first quarter for us. We come out of the gates so slow, especially on the road. We can't afford to give teams a free 10 point lead, or a free psychological headstart like we have at times.

We've got the tools to win this in 4 if switched on but Westbrook and Durant can go off at the flick of a switch so I'm saying a tough 7 game series is more likely.

I do think though, if we are solid we can still beat an OKC team without a third scorer so the key will be not allowing Kanter to do what he's been doing of late and not let Ibaka get going from mid-to long range.

As soon as Roberson is subbed out, we need to do the same with Parker. Might see Simmons get some unlikely minutes depending how Westbrook plays.

I think Kawhi can at least keep KD in check.

What's sad is I'll be off on 3 weeks holiday (Japan woo!) the day this series starts and won't see any of it till wrap ups each night.

[duppyy]

Hope you guys win the ship this year

[UDRIH14]

spurs in 4 games unless porker open his big mouth at westbrick to get him going

[imagump1313]

spurs in 4 games unless porker open his big mouth at westbrick to get him going

When has Tony Parker ever taunted another player, ever? Am I missing something?

[Phreak50]

Never.

He even said this about Westbrook yesterday.

''He's got a lot of energy, he's super aggressive and obviously one of the best point guards in the league, it's just fun to play against him. He brings a lot of excitement to the game. It's always a great matchup.''

[Old Man Game]

I could be proven wrong but going into this one I think the disparity in coaching in San Antonio's favor is huge in this series.

[imagump1313]

I could be proven wrong but going into this one I think the disparity in coaching in San Antonio's favor is huge in this series.

I hope you are right!

Ive been lurking your forum lately and it seems like a majority of you don't like Donovan very much at all. Is that true? I'm not a big fan of his myself but the only real issue I have with him at OKC is that I thought he was brought in to make the team a little more balanced instead of all about Durant and Westbrook. But he seems to have done the exact opposite. I think you guys could win a title right now this year if only you could balance things out a little.

[ducler]

[imagump1313]

I am having nightmares of Durant and Westbrook going off on us. I hope this isn't the case. Gametime!

[law_1990]

holy **** danny hit a 3

[law_1990]

i sincerely hope Kyle Singler didn't pay anyone for that haircut.

[imagump1313]

Holy smokes! Where has this been all year? We are actually playing aggressively and not letting the Thunder dictate play. Even Danny Green is hitting shots.

[Old Man Game]

I could be proven wrong but going into this one I think the disparity in coaching in San Antonio's favor is huge in this series.

I hope you are right!

Ive been lurking your forum lately and it seems like a majority of you don't like Donovan very much at all. Is that true? I'm not a big fan of his myself but the only real issue I have with him at OKC is that I thought he was brought in to make the team a little more balanced instead of all about Durant and Westbrook. But he seems to have done the exact opposite. I think you guys could win a title right now this year if only you could balance things out a little.

Personally I can't stand Donovan. Not much a fan of the guy who hired him at this point either.

[Old Man Game]

Congrats Spurs fans.

[Phreak50]

Didn't get to watch any of this, getting ready for a flight but omg, what happened?

The box score suggests everything just clicked and every shot dropped? I guess this is the 'we've got the tools to win this in 4' team I suggested up above.

Let's get the next one now.

[imagump1313]

Yes, we were definitely the aggressors tonight. LMA was a beast, Kwahi was Kwahi, Danny Green and Timmy were both pretty sharp. I feel much better if we continue playing like that.