NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Time to Rest After Sweep Will Be Huge for Thunder

In the expedited, strike-shortened season, rest came at a premium.

So the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to earn some on their own, sweeping the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. And any extra rest they may get as a result could go a long way for the team moving forward.

The Thunder were already at an advantage in these playoffs over some of the older teams in the Western Conference, like the San Antonio Spurs or Los Angeles Lakers. With a young core led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are better suited to endure the physical grind.

It's why Spurs coach Gregg Popovich so carefully rested his veterans down the stretch in the regular season. He knew his older players, namely Tim Duncan, were in danger of wearying during the grind of the playoffs after this season.

Of course, there's always the question of whether rest is really better than staying within the rhythm of a basketball schedule is better. Some believe that a lengthy period of rest can steal a team's momentum and cause them to come out rusty when play resumes.

In the short term, that's probably true. If the Thunder have to wait for an extended period of time before the second round begins, they'll probably be a bit rusty in the first game.

But in the long run, the rest will do them good. Whatever bumps and bruises they may have accrued against the Mavs can heal, and the team will be refreshed heading into its next series.

The West should be on notice now—the Thunder are young, rested and dangerous. They are a force to be reckoned with as these playoffs continue.

For the rest of the first-round NBA schedule, hit up NBA.com.


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