Western Conference Finals 2012: Why Thunder Will Roll Past Spurs to NBA Finals

The 2012 Western Conference Finals features an intriguing matchup between the experienced San Antonio Spurs and the explosive Oklahoma City Thunder.

Both teams have looked dominant, as the Spurs have yet to drop a game in the postseason while the Thunder's only loss was by three points to the Lakers.

The series has the potential to go back and forth, but in the end look for the Thunder to head to the NBA Finals.

The three-headed monster of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden will be too much for the Spurs to handle.

The Spurs have demonstrated nice balance on offense throughout the postseason but lack the explosiveness to keep up with the Thunder.

Durant and Westbrook are No. 3 and No. 4 in postseason scoring averages with 26.7 and 24.1, respectively.

Harden, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, has averaged 17 points a game for the Thunder.

The Spurs have always been known for playing good team defense and have solid perimeter players in Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard.

However, Durant, Westbrook and Harden are all quicker and will be able to get into the lane and get their shot off.

The Spurs counter with experience from Tony Parker and Tim Duncan and both are in the top 10 in scoring for the postseason.

Parker played outstanding in the series against the Clippers and arguably outplayed his point guard counterpart, Chris Paul. However, Westbrook is in the top five with a 2.86 assist-turnover ratio, which is better than Parker's 2.19 this postseason.

The Thunder also have options to limit Duncan's low-post scoring. They can throw length at him with the outstanding shot-blocker Serbe Ibaka, or put the stronger Kendrick Perkins on him to push him out of the lane.

That gives head coach Scott Brooks versatility to show Duncan different looks and attempt to frustrate him.

The Thunder have more talent, explosiveness and quickness, which will allow them to score at a higher pace.

That combined with good low-post defenders will be enough to carry them past the Spurs to the NBA Finals.