The Oklahoma City Thunder welcome in the San Antonio Spurs for a fight atop the Western Conference. These groups are separated just by 1.5 games in the rankings. They met in the Western Conference Finals last year, and the conference title will likely be a between them again this year. San Antonio has got the advantage in this season's line. The Spurs won the first and third activities, which came in the home in the AT&T Center. With regards to momentum, equally have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games. It's difficult to see much huge difference in these two clubs. They have had outstanding regular conditions once more, and a case could be made that either should be favorites for the NBA title. This game could have a genuine playoff feel. Listed here is a critique of the enormous West matchup. Where: Chesapeake Energy Area, Oklahoma City When: Thursday, April 4, 2013 Watch: TNT Stay Stream: Basketball Category Go Records: San Antonio Spurs (56-19) at Oklahoma City Thunder (54-20) Spurs Injury Report (thanks to CBS Sports) Manu Ginobili, Hamstring Thunder Injury Report (courtesy of CBS Sports) Nothing Critical Storyline: European Discussion Supremacy Religious Petersen/Getty Photographs For many of the period, these two have now been the school of the West. There clearly was that time the Los Angeles Clippers appeared as if the team to defeat, nevertheless they have since fallen down. It's not impossible for either the Spurs or Thunder to slip in to third place, but it's very improbable now. Concluding first could ensure a likely first-round matchup with the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. Next place means the Utah Jazz or Los Angeles Lakers. For Oklahoma City, the top of the West rankings was wherever it expected to be. on the Miami Heat when Kevin Durant looked into the camera walking off the courtroom in the NBA Finals, it had been assumed their revenge would be got by the Thunder. It is somewhat different for the Spurs. Apparently every year going back decade now, we have been reading about how exactly San Antonio is too old to remain an elite team and here is the year it drops down. Probably which will be next year since the Spurs have now been systematic in their success this season. There's something physical in regards to the way Gregg Popovich continues to have this team winning. Crucial Matchup: Kawhi Leonard vs. Kevin Durant Streeter Lecka/Getty Pictures This needless to say will be based on Kawhi Leonard really playing. He did not suit facing the Magic on Wednesday night as a result of painful knee. The Spurs may really need his energy to greatly help neutralize Durant, that's coming in because the league's top scorer. In his three games from the Spurs this year, Durant is averaging just 22.7 factors, which is a little over five below his season average. It's not as if San Antonio has always given him suits, but this year has prevailed for the group in that respect. However, as strange as it seems, it may actually be better if Durant does not stop. He is averaging more points and helps in OKC's 20 losses than he is within their 54 victories. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Leonard has been the high-energy guy who perfectly suits the veteran leadership of the Spurs. He and Kenneth Faried need to lead the group in distance moved on the court. Edge safety is really a essential asset for Leonard. He brings the team in bargains, at 1.7, and his defensive gain shares is fourth on the team. He is got the athleticism to take care of Durant from that viewpoint, but he obviously doesn't complement talent-wise. Durant is gonna go for 20-plus. That much is a given. It is just a matter of earning sure those points don't can be found in crisis time when the game is on the point. Prediction The Thunder are going to be rested because of this one. Their last game was on Sunday contrary to the Milwaukee Bucks. San Antonio needs to deal with the second half a back-to-back, therefore OKC gets the benefit there. This is likely to drop to a challenge of the frontcourts. You've got the trio of Durant, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins increasing against Leonard, Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter. Playing at home will be type in this game, as Oklahoma City and San Antonio have near equal home and road splits. The Spurs and Thunder are both 32-5 at home. The Thunder obtain the edge with the overall game in OKC, and Durant and Ibaka are likely to have big games. The past two matchups between these teams were both decided by double digits. This is a game, with Oklahoma City taking away late. Prediction: Oklahoma Town 99, San Antonio 88
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