NBA Playoff Schedule: Bold Predictions for Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3

The San Antonio Spurs will continue their domination over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, but certain aspects of the game will go very differently.

The Spurs simply put on a clinic against the Thunder to take a 2-0 lead, and betting against them, no matter who or where they are playing, is a mistake at this point.

They are just too good.

But that's not to take anything away from the Thunder. Scott Brooks' team is incredibly talented; he just needs to make some adjustments.

Because of Oklahoma City's increasing desperation, many things will go differently in Game 3. Here's a look at some bold predictions for Thursday's matchup.

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Serge Ibaka Busts Out on Offense

Ibaka is strictly known for how well he can protect the rim, but if the Thunder want to stop playing 3-on-5 on offense, he's going to have to step up on the scoring end.

In the first two games of this series, Ibaka shot 29 percent and scored an average of just 6.5 points per game. He has never been an offensive force, sure, but he has been absolutely non-existent in Games 1 and 2. 

And it's not like he doesn't get the opportunity.

Ibaka is good off the pick-and-pop and can consistently knock down the mid-range jumper. The Spurs are giving him that shot, but he's not making it. 

Per NBA.com, Ibaka has taken just three mid-range jumpers this series, and he hasn't knocked down any of them.

I expect him to come out and make some open shots on his way to 12-to-14 points. 

Tim Duncan Drops 30

The Spurs have been beyond deadly when running their pick-and-roll offense. They are so efficient with it and have so many directions they can go when they run it. And when Tony Parker is running the show, this offense works to a tee.

If the Thunder don't want to get run out of the gym like they did in Game 2, they'll have to start aggressively hedging the pick-and-rolls farther up top and make Parker give the ball up.

Should that happen, whatever big man is hedging will have to leave Tim Duncan or whoever the screener is. That means Duncan will be able to pop and find the mid-range jumper wide open all night.

I'm betting Duncan, who has been getting big-time minutes in this series, will knock those down all night. 

Russell Westbrook Double-Double

Westbrook has kind of been all over the place in this series. In Game 1, he shot just 7-of-21. In Game 2, he responded with a 10-of-24 game.

One thing is clear, though. The young point guard is looking for his shot, even though he has to run through about 14 screens every possession on the other side of the court.

Whether or not Westbrook can be a true game-manager is obviously his biggest question mark, but I think he'll see the light in Game 3. 

He needs to look for his shot, but he needs to tone it down a bit and find the other options, especially Kevin Durant.

Westbrook will hit double-digit assists while Durant rightfully takes more shots and Ibaka hits some of his mid-range jumpers. 

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