SpursUniverse

The (#2) San Antonio Spurs are taking on (#6) Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Both teams stack up very well on paper and are legitimate NBA title contenders. According to NBA.com, “The Spurs are third in the NBA in offensive rating at 116.6 and the Timberwolves are 6th at 112.8.” This will be critical going forward as the offensive rating will take a step back with Minnesota not having A. Edwards to start the second round as well as both teams keying in on weaknesses. As far as defense, the Spurs ranked second in the NBA at 102.2 and the Wolves ranked seventh at 108.2. Both are top ten defensive teams, so the opponent that can dictate defesive assignments will control this series. Net rating has the Spurs at second and the Wolves at third. This shows that both teams if on a heater, can get a big lead! The team that keeps the big lead could be the victor of the series! The battle of the bench for each team will be key. NBA.com ranked the Spurs at having the number one bench in the NBA, and the Wolves having the number nineteenth. This stat is going off points per game during the regular season. Minnesota’s bench has stepped up during the playoffs so depending how each teams bench contributes, this could factor in on swinging the series!

Keys to victory for the Spurs: 1. The Spurs must take advantage of Edwards not being there for the first game or two. Look for the Spurs guards to funnel everything to Wemby early and often. San Antonio needs to start off 2-0 in order to get momentum early. 2. The Spurs bench will be key in the Spurs getting and keeping momentum. Sixth man of the year award winner K. Johnson will be a big factor in the Spurs starting the series up 2-0. Also, if any Spurs get in foul trouble San Antonio being able to rely on dept could make trouble for a thin Wolves team. 3. D. Fox will be the tipping point in advancing to the next round. He is one of the Spurs with the most playoff experience and San Antonio’s closer down the stretch of games! Look for him to take advantage of his matchups in the fourth quarter if the Spurs are to advance to the Western finals! Utilizing the Fox and Wemby pick and roll late in games could get the Spurs stars the momentum they needs in order to close out the series . 4. Wemby gotta stay healthy and be the defensive anchor the Spurs need to sustain their winning ways! Wemby is the Defensive Player of the Year, and an out of this world talent. San Antonio needs him to protect the paint, as well as protect home court advantage! 5. Having the appropriate fear will help San Antonio keep the necessary intensity needed to get past the Wolves. Minnesota is playing like the, “We Believe Warriors,” and that can be dangerous if the wrong approach to the game is not met!

Prediction: Spurs in Seven! As Minnesota gets healthy with Ant-man coming back the Spurs will win a tough series against a tough opponent in game 7 at home! Look for the 3-headed guard rotation of Fox, Castle and Harper to settle in and play solid defense down the stretch of games!