The Spurs are riding high and preparing for their first playoff berth in six years. However, tonight’s OKC game will have huge playoffs implications. San Antonio sits at 3-1 against the Thunder and are looking to gain a gentleman’s sweep against their rival. Win or lose, it is unlikely that the Spurs will see the last of OKC tonight.
The Spurs’ Final Game Against OKC Is Their Biggest Of The Season
The Battle To Be Number #1
The Spurs currently sit six games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and one ahead of the Nuggets. Traditionally, if the season were to end today, the #1 seed would face the #7 seed, and the number #2 seed would face the #8 seed. Of course, the Play-in Tournament changes all of that. However, assuming that the higher seeds win in the Play-in Tournament (Which they almost always do) the Thunder would most likely get a much easier matchup (most likely the Warriors, instead of the Timberwolves). The Spurs path to a potential NBA Finals appearance would be a little easier with the #1 seed. More importantly, the Spurs should want the first seed to secure homecourt advantage. The free-throw line has been important in their match-ups. Having rowdy fans for the majority of their games is huge.
The Thunder were once 24-1 before their first loss to the Spurs. San Antonio quickly defeated them twice more. The Thunder’s insane start to the season had ended. Also ended is their chance to go 73-9 or better to set an NBA record for wins. The Spurs showed the rest of the league the keys to winning against the Thunder and closed the distance between their records. This the Spurs’ last chance to close the record gap head-to-head this season. The Spurs winning tonight increases the chances of being the #1 seed. However, a loss would make the #1 seed somewhat of a longshot.
Keeping The Mental Advantage
Even more important for the Spurs is keeping the season series to a near sweep. If the Thunder are able to win more than a game against the Spurs it will be easier for them to figure out why. With two wins bring a pattern, and Oklahoma City’s capable organization will look to learn from this game. However, the best thing for the Spurs to do is to outwork OKC. San Antonio holds key advantages in rebounding and guard size in this matchup. Leaning into these strengths not only helps the Spurs win, but showing out in front of their home crowd with hustle will send a message to OKC that they don’t want to be in San Antonio during the Playoffs.
Could this approach backfire? Maybe. OKC is a team with a mature leader in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has already made it clear he takes these losses seriously. Because of that the Thunder might be more motivated to beat the Spurs instead of discouraged.
But it is doubtful that Victor Wembanyama and Head Coach Mitch Johnson don’t possess a similar maturity. The Spurs whole roster would know that they are the team to beat if they win tonight. Although that may make the young team cocky, there is nothing wrong with that as long as they understand failure won’t be so easily accepted in the Playoffs.
Prediction
With Wembanyama healthy and Stephon Castle bouncing back from his slump, it is hard to predict the Spurs losing in front of their home crowd. The real determining factor is foul calls. However, in front of thousands of San Antonio fans, it seems unlikely that SGA and the Thunder will be as effective from the free-throw line. If they can get there that is. The Spurs will have to shake off some of their recent performances and be the more physical team in the paint, but I believe they will get it done.
San Antonio Spurs 112-104
Featured Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
