NBA Playoff Schedule: OKC Thunder Must Set Series' Tone Against Spurs in Game 1

With the Western Conference finals set between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, the 2012 NBA playoffs are getting intense.

Game 1 of this series is more important for the younger Oklahoma City team trying to prove its worth against the veteran-laden Spurs. OKC must set the tone for the series by coming out hard and not letting up.

This series will be the toughest test of the Thunder’s season, and San Antonio is not going down without a fight. This will be a great series.

Full Schedule

Game 1: May 27, 8:30 p.m. EDT @SAS (TV: TNT)

Game 2: May 29, 9:00 p.m. EDT @SAS (TV: TNT)

Game 3: May 31, 9:00 p.m. EDT @OKC (TV: TNT)

Game 4: Jun 2, 8:30 p.m. EDT @OKC (TV: TNT)

Game 5: Jun 4, 9:00 p.m. EDT @SAS (TV: TNT)*

Game 6: Jun 6, 9:00 p.m. EDT @OKC (TV: TNT)*

Game 7: Jun 8, 9:00 p.m. EDT @SAS (TV: TNT)*

*If Necessary

Push the Tempo

There is no question that the Thunder are the faster and younger team. Led by the pressure of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, OKC has to get the Spurs running back in the fast break and wearing out their old legs.

With this series probably going seven games, the more up-tempo basketball the Thunder play during the first six games of the series, the more likely San Antonio is to be slower to the loose balls or less likely to grab rebounds.

Pull Tim Duncan from the Basket

The reason Tim Duncan was so dominant in the series against the Los Angeles Clippers was because he didn’t fear Blake Griffin’s shot. Oklahoma City—and Serge Ibaka especially—must pull Duncan away from the basket with the mid-range jumper.

With the lane opened up, Westbrook and Durant can run right through the gut and get their baskets in the paint. If Ibaka starts finding his stroke, San Antonio is in major trouble.

Russell Westbrook vs. Tony Parker

Russel Westbrook and Tony Parker are the catalysts for their teams' success.

As great as Parker has been for San Antonio all year, he will go against his toughest test yet in Westbrook.

Westbrook will guard him in the defensive end like few others have while testing Parker’s abilities to defend with a wide array of skills. This is the battle to watch.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

Follow @Donald_Wood