How San Antonio Spurs Can Carry Momentum into 2013 NBA Finals

Cue the Memphis blues.

Though the series was originally predicted to be a long, hard-fought battle between two evenly matched teams, the San Antonio Spurs quickly proved to the world that they were the West's best squad.

Disposing of the Memphis Grizzlies in just four games, the Spurs kept their title hopes alive, and will move on to the NBA Finals for the fifth time in franchise history.

Now, just one series sits between the veteran squad and the fifth title that they have waited so long to claim their own.

However, while the near-flawless execution demonstrated in the Western Conference Finals may seem like their ticket to trophy No. 5, the Eastern Conference's representative will give them a run for their money.

As of now, the Miami Heat sit at a 2-1 advantage over the Indiana Pacers. Following their Game 3 rout, the defending champions are in a good place to move on past their opponent. If, however, the Pacers can come back, they will be fully deserving of an appearance in the finals.

Either way, the Spurs will have tough competition as they eye another piece of hardware.

So how can Gregg Popovich and Co. ensure that their 2013 title run ends on a good note? As good as San Antonio has been, the same can be said for whichever team emerges as the East's top squad.

First off, the team needs to rest—and use that extra time off to their advantage.

Comprised of a surplus of veteran stars, the Spurs should utilize the elongated time to recover to the fullest. Making sure that the team enters the finals healthy should be the top priority. However, making sure that every player is ready to go once the curtains open is just as important.

Following their first-round sweep, the Spurs entered the second round with more time off than their opponents. However, the large break proved detrimental to the squad, who began Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors looking rusty.

As they prepare for the final round of action, the Spurs need to stay in tip-top shape and not overuse the rest. To an extent, the time off will be beneficial, but every player must be completely ready for the final stage of their playoff journey.

In addition to using the break in action to rest, the team must spend the period making any necessary adjustments, and formulating a game plan to exploit the weakness of their upcoming opponents.

With either LeBron James or Paul George on his radar, Kawhi Leonard must be physically and mentally prepared to stop whichever superstar he is assigned to guard. Learning how to effectively contain LeBron will be difficult, but Leonard must be fully ready to accept his game-changing role as the X-factor of the 2013 NBA Finals.

However, while Leonard will need to prepare for his role defensively, Tony Parker must recognize that he alone can make or break the Spurs' chances in the finals.

Parker enjoyed one of the best playoff series of his career against the Grizzlies, with his Game 4 performance being one that fanatics will recognizing as a career-defining game.

Scoring 37 points, Parker cemented his status as more than a top point guard. He can now be recognized—without debate—as one of the league's best overall players.

Though teamwork is often stressed in San Antonio, Parker will need to accept the spotlight in the finals, as his performance may very well dictate his team's fate.

While it will be nearly impossible against the Heat, Parker must emerge as the most dominant player on the floor—or come very close to it.

He'll need to set the pace early on, scoring at a high rate and getting the rest of the team involved. Either way, he's going to be the opposition's primary focus early on, and he must not relinquish that status throughout the entire series.

Whether he is shooting or assisting, every Spurs play must run through Parker, and both he and Popovich must realize that in a clash of superstars, Parker must emerge as the clear alpha dog in order for San Antonio to win.

Tim Duncan will also need to be playing vintage basketball, as will Manu Ginobili. Tiago Splitter and Danny Green must each increase their offensive effectiveness while Kawhi Leonard must prepare for the most important defensive series of his career.

And if all the pieces fit, the celebrating won't stop now in San Antonio. Because when everything clicks for the Spurs, few teams in the league can stop them.

Only time will tell if they can carry their dominance into the finals, but as for now, one thing is for sure:

They're back.