NBA 2012 Western Conference Final Playoffs Thunder vs. Spurs

What we expected to be a very competitive Western Conference Final has turned out to be anything but. After a 120-111 dismantling of the Thunder during Game 2 on Tuesday, the Spurs look untouchable, as they are a total team package.

San Antonio is on a 20-game winning streak and now own the record for the longest winning run, to end a season and then into the playoffs, in NBA history.

Oklahoma City Needs To Thunder Out Of The Gate Tonight

Going down two games to bunk in a playoff series is not the end of the world – falling into a 3-0 hole is. That’s the scenario facing Oklahoma City tonight as the Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs in pivotal Game 3 West Final hoop action. Tip off is slated for Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 9:00 PM ET from the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK.

While these two teams are a virtual mirror image of each other on paper statistics wise, the Spurs have been the far superior team on the hardcourt through the first two games. San Antonio is getting contributions across the board while OKC has put on a three-man show. The Thunder need to turn that around right from the opening tip off – with home court advantage tonight.

Well Rounded Spurs Attack vs. Thunder Three Man Show

If Oklahoma City is going to avoid being the next Spurs sweep, they need some of their peripheral players to step up and contribute. Of the Thunder’s 209 series points a whopping 151 have come from Kevin Durant (58), Russell Westbrook (44) and James Harden (49). Other Oklahoma City players (Serge Ibaka 13 PTS in two games) have to start scoring to make this series a fair fight.

San Antonio has come in continuous waves with a balanced attack throughout the series. Four of the five Spurs starters scored in double digits (Boris Diaw had 9 points) in Game 2, while Manu Ginobili poured in another 20 points off the bench. Oklahoma also needs to step up their overall team toughness as the Spurs have bullied their way through the first two West Final contests.

Playing at home is a huge advantage in basketball – more so than any of the “Big Four” North American sports in our opinion. That said, the Spurs are a juggernaut that keeps picking up steam. We do see the Thunder rolling to one victory at home – expect the win to come in Game Four.