After yesterday's blowout win (75-114) and very impressive performance from LaMarcus Aldridge and Jonathan Simmons who replaced Leonard in the starting lineup, the Spurs showed how well coached they are, how they can react in tough situations when losing their best player, as they had an all around great performance in Game 6. They are now in the Western Conference Finals and will face off the excellent Warriors in a best-of-seven series, for a spot in the NBA Finals. A matchup that will be exciting, and will cause the Warriors some problems. The Spurs are going into the series with the mentality to win both games in Oakland, starting with Game 1 on Sunday. Leonard's health will be an X-factor to the series, but if healthy most importantly LaMarcus Aldridge has to be the guy he was yesterday, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. If LaMarcus can average 20-25 points in the series, the Spurs can actually challenge the Warriors and could make it a fascinating series.
The Warriors, however, so far in the playoffs have been unstoppable winning all eight games, with an average margin of victory well over 15 points while shooting 48.4% from the field. They have been so far unstoppable, the question is, can Greg Popovich find a way to limit Kevin Durant and Steph Curry offensively, and can he attack the basket with LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol posting up inside the paint, where the Warriors are weak. Popovich will sure try, will he actually succeed, will the Warriors need help inside the paint? The Warriors have been spectacular in these eight games, all around both defensively and offensively, but the Spurs showed last night, how they can react to tough situations and can challenge the Warriors for a place in the 2017 NBA Finals.The main question is can the Spurs play each game like they did last night. With Leonard possibly coming back for Game 1 and playing the whole series, they have the best defender who can both guard Steph Curry and Kevin Durant and will need other guys like Mills and Murray to step up as they did yesterday. Murray with his length will possibly start on Sunday and guard Curry, while Mills will give them positive minutes off the bench, knocking down some floaters and three-pointers. Gasol has to post up, LaMarcus has to play like he did in Game 6 against the Rockets, and Leonard must be the superstar he has been all season long, and prove why he should be considered for the second best player in the NBA.
The Spurs must do all of the things above if they want to challenge the Warriors and take the series to a Game 7. If they can't do the things above, the Warriors will more likely win the series in five games. I firmly believe that Greg Popovich will prepare his team well, he has shown how successful as a mentor and coach he has been over the past 15 years, and his team will be ready for Game 1 on Sunday. My prediction for this series is that the Spurs will actually challenge the Warriors, but the Warriors will escape and defeat the San Antonio Spurs in six games. The Warriors have more talent, they have four all-stars, while the Spurs have only one in Leonard, and have also played four more games than the Warriors in the 2017 playoffs. The Warriors until now have been unstoppable, want to get their second championship in three years after losing last year's championship dramatically, and will be in the NBA Finals by June. But, this series will be an exciting series, as many players have to prove themselves and that includes, Curry, Leonard, Aldridge. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at 3.30 PM - ET on ABC.
Prediction:
Warriors in Six
No comments:
Post a Comment