NBA Playoffs 2012: X-Factors Who Must Shine for Spurs to Beat Thunder

The San Antonio Spurs have cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs without dropping a single game. They can expect a much tougher test from the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, which means the team's depth will be put to the test.

Let's take a look at three players who will be forced to step up in order for the Spurs to make another appearance in the NBA Finals. They have all played well so far in the postseason, but the Thunder will present a whole new set of challenges.

Danny Green

Manu Ginobili has been struggling to find his shooting stroke from beyond the arc (26 percent), but the Spurs haven't missed a beat thanks to Green. He's averaging 10 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range in the playoffs.

The North Carolina product has played in his fair share of key games, so the big stage shouldn't have a negative impact on him. These games are likely to be closer than most of the ones so far and Green can't afford to back down.

He also has the ability to defend opposing point guards, which will help keep Tony Parker fresh instead of having him chase Russell Westbrook around all game. It's that type of versatility which has allowed him to become an important piece for the Spurs.

Kawhi Leonard

The Spurs acquired Leonard in a draft-day trade with the Indiana Pacers last summer and it's a deal that looks better with each passing day for San Antonio. He's improved his outside shot to become more effective on offense while still playing great on-ball defense.

His most important task against the Thunder will be keeping Kevin Durant under control. He's not going to totally shut him down—nobody can—but as long as he ensures Durant doesn't completely take over games, it will be considered a success.

Durant will be attacking him early and often to see how he holds up to the pressure, so the first game is going to set the tone for the entire series. Leonard has passed every test thrown his way so far, but this will be the toughest one yet.

Tiago Splitter

Splitter often gets lost in the shuffle behind Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw, but he's going to become vital to the team's success against a deep Thunder squad. Oklahoma City rotates three big men who can all defend, meaning Splitter will have to help the Spurs match that.

He's only averaged eight points and four rebounds during the team's consecutive sweeps. Those numbers must improve moving forward, especially if he's given more time of the floor to combat Oklahoma City's post players.

The Brazilian role player has developed slowly ever since the Spurs drafted him. Now it's time for him to prove the team made the right decision to be patient with him by helping push them past the Thunder and into the finals.