12-30-2019, 06:12 AM
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder will meet in the Western Conference finals for the second time in three years, starting with Game 1 tonight at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Watch the game live on TSN and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. In 2012, the Thunder prevailed in six games to advance to the NBA Finals. They lost to the Miami Heat, but the Spurs can relate, falling to LeBron James and company last year. Despite the success two years ago, and sweep (4-0) of the series during this past regular season, the Thunder are 10-12 against the Spurs in 22 regular- season meetings since the team moved to Oklahoma City. The teams were Nos. 1 and 2 throughout most of the 2013-14 season. "Players step up and play well," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "There arent really surprises." "Were very familiar with what they do," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "Theyre a very good basketball team. Theyre well coached. They have good players, good role players, good bench players and they have a style of play that demands that you play with great effort for the entire shot clock." The Spurs needed seven games to get past the eighth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round, then took five games to best the Portland Trail Blazers. Oklahoma City survived a physical seven-game set with the Memphis Grizzlies, then knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers in six. Injuries will play a role in this series, starting with Tony Parker. The Spurs All-Star point guard suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in Game 5 against Portland, but should be good to go by Monday. The same cant be said for Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma Citys premier defensive big man. A calf injury will keep him out for the remainder of the postseason, which is a huge blow for the Thunder. Ibaka would probably be tasked with covering future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan. As for who replaces him in the starting lineup, Brooks has options. Nick Collison might make the most sense as a veteran and a strong defensive presence. Steven Adams could help combat the size of the Spurs. Duncan, at 38, is leading the Spurs in minutes during the postseason, while scoring 15.8 points with 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Parker is averaging 19.3 points and 4.9 assists. San Antonios biggest challenge will be stopping OKCs two-headed monster of league MVP Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Theyve been sensational in the postseason and will represent a huge task for Parker and Kawhi Leonard. Durant was named MVP for the first time and has continued his amazing play in the postseason. He is averaging 31.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, but his shooting numbers are down from the regular season. Durant is playing almost 45 minutes a game and that may take its toll. Westbrook has been very strong in the postseason, averaging 26.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He has registered three triple-doubles during these playoffs and thats three more than the rest of the NBA combined. Game 2 will be Wednesday night in San Antonio. Vans Shoes Clearance . LOUIS -- To stay a step ahead of goaltenders, T. Vans Slip On Sale . PAUL, Minn. http://www.vanssalestore.com/vans-sk8-clearance.html . The 25-year-old McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, was eligible to play for either Ireland or Team GB when golf makes its return to the Olympics in Brazil for the first time since 1904. Vans Old Skool Clearance . Head coach Randy Carlyle confirmed the news after the Leafs morning skate on Monday. Kozun was hurt during Friday nights home game against the Red Wings and did not make the return trip to Detroit for Saturdays game. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand.COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled defenceman Dalton Prout from their American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Mass. Prout may fill in for Fedor Tyutin, who missed Thursdays practice with an undisclosed illness. The 23-year-old Prout has two assists, 31 penalty minutes and 41 blocked shots inn 25 games with Columbus this season.dddddddddddd He had a goal and six assists with 27 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating in 28 games with the Blue Jackets last season. Columbus seventh pick, 154th overall, in the 2010 NHL draft, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound Prout has one goal and eight assists in 58 career NHL games. ' ' '