As the San Antonio Spurs prepare for a highly anticipated second round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, here’s what they must do to win the series.
Coming off a 67-win season, the San Antonio Spurs would normally be heavy favorites to win the 2016 NBA Finals. Heading into a brutal second round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, the Spurs may have their hands full with just getting to the conference finals.
While the 73-win Golden State Warriors are missing Stephen Curry, they’ll enjoy a far easier second round matchup against either the young Portland Trail Blazers or the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs will get no such respite against a Thunder team that’s finally healthy at the right time and has two of the 10 best players in the league with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Following their quick four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs are well rested and should have plenty of energy for a Thunder team that dismantled the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in five games. But even after their historic season, San Antonio should not be looking past a talented opponent whose athleticism and star power has been a thorn in their side in recent years.
Heading into the best second round matchup of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, here’s a look at what the Spurs must do to beat the Thunder and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Next: No. 5