Thunder vs. Spurs: X-Factors Who Will Shape the Series
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, who will meet in the 2012 Western Conference Finals starting Sunday, probably couldn't be more evenly matched if the basketball gods had tried.
The cast of characters are different in every way, but the results have been strikingly similar for the Thunder and Spurs in 2012.
The Spurs averaged 103.7 points a game during the regular season while allowing 96.5 defensively. The Thunder scored 103.1 a game while allowing 96.9.
The Spurs grabbed 43 rebounds a game and shot 47.8 percent from the field while the Thunder hauled in 43.7 rebounds a night and shot 47.1 percent
You don't have to dig much deeper into the stats to find more similarities between the two Western Conference giants.
In a series that appears to be so evenly split statistically, the word "X-factor" is going to get thrown a lot over the next handful of days. While the Thunder need Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden to play well and the Spurs obviously count on big contributions from Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the supporting cast members may be the deciding factor in the Western Conference Finals.
Below, we breakdown some of the X-factors who could ultimately decide whether the Spurs are playing for their first title since 2007 or if the young Thunder crash the NBA Finals party.
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City
Ibaka averaged less than nine points a game and shot less than 47 percent during Oklahoma City's series with the Los Angeles Lakers. Those numbers may not get significantly better against the Spurs, but the Thunder aren't expecting 20 every game from Ibaka.
They need his presence in the paint and on the glass. Ibaka was under six boards a game against the Lakers, but he blocked 20 shots in five games while picking up just 3.4 fouls a contest. That kind of dominance at the rim while also avoiding putting opponents on the the free throw line will be crucial in this series.
Nick Collison, Oklahoma City
When the Thunder beat the Spurs in January, Collison played big minutes off the Oklahoma City bench. The veteran center scored 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting and also grabbed 10 boards, including three offensive rebounds. The Thunder were plus-19 when he was on the floor.
That will be a tough performance to match during postseason basketball, but any contributions from Collison against the Spurs will work in Oklahoma City's favor. He could swing a game or two down low.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
No team is going to shut down Kevin Durant, and the Spurs are really no different. Durant averaged almost 23 points a game against San Antonio during three regular season meetings, which is exactly where the Spurs want him during this series.
Leonard and his long wingspan will likely be tasked with keeping Durant in check for long stretches though Stephen Jackson will also be sprinkled into the defensive mix. He may not put up big offensive numbers in this series, but Leonard's defense on Durant will be a big factor.
Tiago Splitter, San Antonio
Splitter embodies everything you're looking for in an X-factor. The numbers aren't flashy by any means (7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds per game in the postseason), but Splitter is efficient in his role as a very poor man's Duncan.
The Spurs love using Splitter in the pick-and-role game, especially when Duncan is on the bench getting the rest he'll need to stay fresh.
And when Splitter gets his minutes—which ranged from 12 to 24 in the Clippers series—he makes the most of them. Splitter averaged an eye-popping 23 points and 13 rebounds per 48 minutes during the regular season. When the Spurs give him minutes in the Western Conference Finals, he needs to continue rewarding them with solid contributions.
