NBA Playoffs 2012: How the Spurs Take Back Control of Western Conference Finals

For more than 20 games, the San Antonio Spurs looked like an unstoppable force. They looked poised to win another championship, but now they look vulnerable. Thanks to Kevin Durant and his heroic efforts, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won back-to-back games to tie the series at 2-2.

In order for the Spurs to take back control of the series, they are going to need several things to go their way. If they do not, it could be the end of the Spurs for the 2011-2012 season.

Get Fans Involved

One of the most underrated aspects in sports in the impact that fans can have. I believe fans can fuel a team's momentum. If the Spurs are going to win Game 5, they need to get their fans involved early and often.

There is no doubt that the Thunder are going to make a run and frustrate the Spurs at some point. They are going to need some "nasty" from their fans this go around.

This will be a very hard fought game. The Spurs are going to need all the help they can get, especially from the fans.

Win the Sixth Man Battle

Both the Thunder and Spurs have great sixth men on their respective rosters. They are incredibly important in each teams success. Thus far, the team who has gotten more production from their star-off-the-bench has won the game. 

The Spurs are going to need a vintage Manu Ginobili performance in order to recapture the series lead. That could be tough considering the stingy defense James Harden has put on him the last two games.

Contain Russell Westbrook

The Spurs need to do a better job with Russell Westbrook. Containing him is the key to the winning the series. Most people would think that's crazy, but it is true.

The Spurs are not going to stop Kevin Durant; no one is going to stop Kevin Durant. He is a superstar that has elevated his game to new heights. There is simply no stopping the man.

The Spurs should counter by focusing mainly on Westbrook. If they can slow him down, they have a much better chance of winning Game 5 and the series.

Do a Better Job Defending the Paint

Game Four was won mainly off the great play of Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. That cannot be the case going forward if the Spurs are going to win.

The Thunder create incredible matchup problems due to the greatness of Durant and Westbrook, but the Spurs cannot leave the rest of the team unguarded. These are NBA players and they can hit open jumpers and wide open layups. They are world-class athletes. 

I Want Some Nasty

Gregg Popovich cannot be pleased with the way his team played in Oklahoma City. They looked like a completely different group of men. They were not the Spurs that won more than 20 games in a row.

If they are going to take back control of the series, they need some "more nasty." Coach Popovich would agree, and so would Spurs fans all over. Being back at home could help bring back some of the magic from earlier in the series.

Conclusion

I expect that Game 5 will be the best of the series thus far. Generally speaking, this is the swing game that decides the outcome of the series. I believe that the Spurs will play a lot better than they have, but it may not be enough. 

The growth and maturation of this young Thunder team is astounding. It could lead them all the way to the NBA Finals.