Clippers vs. Spurs Game 1: What to Watch for During Critical Opening Game
The Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs are getting set for Game 1 of what should be an extremely exciting and dramatic series to determine who will advance to the Western Conference Finals.
It’s a classic battle between a young and upcoming team full of exciting athletes against the old guard—a grizzled group of veterans that play with savvy and craft.
Choosing which side will come out victorious is almost impossible before the series starts, but there are a few key things to watch for to see who will dictate the pace of this game right off the bat.
Point Guard Play
Clippers star Chris Paul is the best PG in the game, but the Spurs’ Tony Parker isn’t far off the lead.
Both are the catalyst for their respective team’s offense, and both know that they must play well in order to advance.
The advantage should go to LA here, but Parker is more than capable of playing just as well, if not better than CP3 for stretches.
Controlling the Paint on Offense
This is going to come down to the pace the teams are playing at.
If San Antonio lets LA run up and down the floor, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and the rest of the bigs on that side will have a huge advantage. They are more athletic than Tim Duncan and any of the other Spurs players. It will turn into Lob City in no time.
However, if SA can slow this game down to a crawl and make it a half-court, set war, they will gain the upper hand.
The Clips simply aren’t that good once the break has been stopped and the ball is being moved around the perimeter. Their bigs are especially vulnerable to being caught out of position and making novice mistakes.
Coaching
The Spurs have a major trump card here. Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the game and was just given the Coach of the Year award to prove it.
Vinny Del Negro is a questionable strategist at best and far too often makes head-scratching decisions.
Coaches don’t often make a major impact in a seven-game series, but this is one series that could be swung by a few great decisions compared to a few awful ones.
