The San Antonio Spurs will face the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight for Game 2 in San Antonio. The Thunder will try to give the Spurs their first loss of the postseason and their first loss in over a month.
In order to make this happen, they can not allow Manu Ginobili to control the pace of the game. Ginobili, who had a playoff high, 26 points in Game 1, will be the difference maker once again. The Thunder will have to get a body on Ginobili and prevent him from attacking the rim.
The Thunder should not be concerned with Durant's poor offensive production in the fourth quarter of Game 1. Instead of depending so much on Durant score, the Thunder should focus more on their post game.
Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka are not known for their offense, but it does not mean they can not score. Ibaka had 22 points against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round and Perkins had 14. Those are their playoff highs this season.
Everybody knows the Thunder will depend on Russell Westbrook and Durant for the scoring, but if they can establish a good inside game, lanes will open for Westbrook, who has the incredible ability of finding holes and blowing by everybody for easy buckets. Not to mention, shots will become available for Durant on the perimeter.
On defense, the Thunder should let the Spurs beat them from the outside. They have to clog up the paint and make it unavailable to the Spurs, who went 25/41 from near range in Game 1. 50 of their 101 points came from the paint.
It is hard to beat a team when their getting in the paint at that rate, especially a savvy, veteran team like the Spurs. If the paint is always busy, the Thunder can force the Spurs to the outside, where they shot 13/42, good for only 30% shooting.
Look for TIm Duncan and Tony Parker to continue anchoring the Spurs offense. Duncan is almost averaging a double-double in the playoffs with 17 points and 9 rebounds a game. Meanwhile Parker is averaging 19 points and 7 assists a game.
If the Spurs can get similar Game 1 production from their bench, the Spurs could end up with a 2-0 series lead.
If the Thunder win tonight, it could provide a series-changing twist. They would have defeated a Spurs team that is on a hot streak and they get to take the series back home where they can play against an energizing home crowd.
Game 2 will tipoff after 8:30 PM eastern time.
