Do the San Antonio Spurs Prefer to Face the Indiana Pacers or Miami Heat?

There are only three teams left in the playoffs, and the San Antonio Spurs have come off of a fresh four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies.

I wouldn't say it was surprising that the Spurs made it to the NBA Finals for the fifth time in the Tim Duncan era, but the sweep was certainly unexpected, especially against the gritty Grizzlies squad.

As the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers battle it out for the Eastern Conference crown, the Spurs are at home, relaxing and waiting for their next challenger.

Which team do the Spurs prefer to compete with in a seven-game series?

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers' style of play is quite similar to that of the Grizzlies.

Both teams are at the top of their class in terms of defense. The Grizzlies were ranked second in defensive efficiency during the regular season by Hollinger's Team Stats, while the Pacers ranked first.

The Grizzlies run more plays involving their two prominent big men—Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol—while the Pacers employ more of an inside-outside game with David West and Roy Hibbert controlling the paint on offense.

Unlike the Grizzlies, the Pacers have a variety of decent three-point shooters and perimeter players like Paul George and George Hill who can score from all areas of the floor.

George and Hill both averaged over 36 percent from beyond the arc this season according to Basketball Reference. They do not need to just rely on West and Hibbert to score down low, because the Pacers' shooters present enough of a threat that the Spurs' defense must respect them.

With that being said, the Spurs have won both games against the Pacers during the regular season, one of which was a blowout win in the beginning of the season.

The Spurs' length and size on the interior will certainly make West and Hibbert work hard for their points, and the Pacers' interior defense is just as good with Hibbert clogging the paint. The series would be won by whoever can make the most shots.

Paul George will probably be the best all-around wing player in this series, but he will have his hands full guarding the likes of Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker or having to chase Danny Green through screens.

Miami Heat

The Spurs have lost both matchups against the Heat this season, but in one of them, Coach Popovich rested Duncan, Ginobili and Parker and infamously got fined $250,000 for his actions (via ESPN).

Nevertheless, this matchup would consist of a perimeter-oriented game. The Heat offense will stretch the floor and try to make the Spurs' big men uncomfortable roaming the perimeter. However, Popovich is great at making adjustments and putting the right players on the floor, so he can definitely adjust to any situation on defense.

Unfortunately, the Spurs do not have that versatile big man who could guard the interior while being able to keep up with Chris Bosh on the perimeter. They have two great defensive swingmen in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, but they aren't big enough to defend Bosh or LeBron James.

This series would definitely be very interesting, as it's certain that both coaches will be making adjustments game after game to give themselves the upper hand.

If the Spurs want to win this series, they would need to gain the edge in the lineup situation, as the Heat possess the greatest player in the world right now.

Conclusion

The Spurs would have a better shot of winning the NBA title if they were to face the Pacers instead of the Heat.

It's still unclear who will come out victorious in the Eastern Conference. For the Spurs, they would have a better chance of defeating the Pacers in a seven-game series, as their roster is well-equipped with all of the right pieces to match them.