NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Breaking Down Spurs' Chances in Best-of-3 Series

The San Antonio Spurs have at most three games remaining on the Western Conference Finals' schedule, maybe two if they're lucky.

After compelling victories in Games 1 and 2 at home, Gregg Popovich's club ran into something it hadn't dealt with in 20 games: Disappointment.

The only thing more unsettling than a 20-point Game 3 thrashing was a Game 4 the Silver and Black actually had a chance of winning. The Oklahoma City Thunder has returned to the form that knocked the Los Angeles Lakers off in five games, and the once-streaking Spurs are still wondering what hit them.

San Antonio can rest fairly assured Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins won't once again combine for the 41 points they tallied in Game 4, a fluke that has to have Thunder fans secretly exhaling in collective relief.

By that same token, however, OKC fans will expect more from Russell Westbrook, who scored just seven points on 2-10 shooting on Saturday night. And, Kevin Durant—who put up 36 points and 8 assists—may continue his brilliance to the Spurs' great dismay.

With the rights to the NBA Finals now reduced to a best-of-three series, here's a preview of the decisive games left ahead.

Game 5, Monday, June 4 at 9:00 PM ET (at San Antonio)

It gets old hearing that every game is a "must-win" game, but guess what? This is a must-win game for both teams, and especially the Spurs. If San Antonio drops a third-straight game and forfeits its home-court advantage, the series is all but over. A comeback wouldn't be unthinkable given their mental resolve, but nor would it be likely by even the most optimistic metrics.

The Spurs will gladly escape the deafening environs of Chesapeake Energy Arena, even if only temporarily. It's hard to imagine this veteran club not showing renewed effort.

After turning the ball over 21 times in Game 3, the Spurs looked far more under control the next time out. But despite losing the rock just 10 times and shooting 50 percent from the floor, the Spurs just couldn't stop an OKC team that wouldn't miss.

Chances are they won't be quite that hot in Game 5.

Game 6, Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 PM ET (at Oklahoma City)

If there's one game this season in which San Antonio needs to play its vintage, suffocating defense, this is the one. The Thunder are at their best when they can push the tempo at home and keep the crowd engaged.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Spurs should try to slow the game down and grind out a classic. That may not play to this high-octane, offensive roster's strengths, but this has always been a versatile team as well, and now may be the time to play at a more patient half-court clip.

That will help keep turnovers under control and put the Spurs in better position to attack the offensive glass like they were able to in the second half of Game 4.

Expect this to be a close game either way. Both of these teams will understand how much is on the line, and it's hard to imagine either one entirely buckling under the pressure.

Game 7 (if necessary), Friday, June 8 at 9:00 PM ET (at San Antonio)

If the series lasts this long, the Spurs will remember why they worked so hard to earn that home-court advantage during the regular season.

That reassurance won't last long, though. The Thunder would be thrilled to have pushed the series seven games after falling into an 0-2 hole to start things off.

As even-keeled as Kevin Durant remains game in and game out, Russell Westbrook and James Harden wear momentum on their sleeves like a second uniform. The last thing the Spurs want to face is a young team that's any more emboldened than they already are.

Still, the Spurs have been in these situations before, and that has to count for something.