Spurs-Thunder, Game 5: Mr. Sandman, Bring Me A Dream

Damn you, NBA Playoffs. Despite having earlier start times, 2 of the last 3 Eastern Conference Finals games (both of which went into OT) have ended almost as late as the games out West. With that being said, it’s hard to turn off the TV and go to bed when you just watched an entire game that has somehow not reached its conclusion yet. What’s a 5 minute extra period anyway? But much to my chagrin, game 5 of the Western Conference Finals ended with me passed out on the couch. It’s funny how the brain works in those situations. When it’s 11:15pm and overtime is starting, it seems like the game is flying by. When it’s 10:15pm and it’s only halftime, resistance against those heavy eyelids seems futile. So, pardon me if I don’t wax as poetically or passionately about the Spurs-Thunder games compared to those of the Heat-Celtics series, but Mr. Sandman came a calling early last night.

From what I can piece together from the parts of the last few games I did watch (and Sportscenter), a couple of things seem perfectly clear though. There’s a reason that despite the long winning streak, the demolition of the Jazz and Clippers, and the impeccable overall play I thought the Spurs were potentially vulnerable against any Western Conference team (and wasn’t counting the Thunder out when they went down 0-2 either). The Spurs share the ball incredibly well, but their offense is still predicated on Manu and Tony Parker getting into the paint. OKC took my advice of showing hard on every pick-and-roll (as if they were actually listening to me…the strategy seemed pretty obvious to a lot of people actually), and this has allowed the Thunder to do a better job of staying home on their individual defensive assignments. What San Antonio wants you to do is help out on Ginobili and Parker’s penetration, leaving shooters open on the perimeter to swing the ball to. OKC’s pick-and-roll defense has kept those 2 out of the lane over the last 3 games for the most part, and the Spurs offense, vaunted as 1 of the greatest of all time only a few days ago, has bogged down. The Thunder will continue to welcome low post isolation plays with Tim Duncan even if he plays as efficiently as game 5 (7 for 10 from the floor for 18 points) because more shots for him means less for everybody else.

From dominant to doomed: the last 3 games have Coach Popovich searching for answers.

Aside from that, OKC’s talent and athleticism has really shown through in their 3 straight wins. As I said before as well, San Antonio plays sound team defense, but this Spurs team doesn’t possess the individual “stoppers” that past Spurs teams have had, and the Thunder are starting to assert their athletic advantage by playing over the top of San Antonio (conversely, the Spurs were a favorite of Steve Smith’s “Under The Rim” plays of the week all year long). Durant and Harden seem to be able to get whatever they want on offense at all times. And even though Russell Westbrook has shot poorly this entire series (under 40% from the field in all 5 games), he has done a better job of getting his teammates involved of late (8.7 assists per game in the last 3 games vs. 6.5 a game in the 1st 2). I wouldn’t put it past the Spurs to force a game 7, but they somehow need to figure out more creative ways to beat the Thunder’s pick-and-roll D. If not, the Thunder will be awaiting the winner of the Miami-Boston series by Wednesday night.