OKC has been an average defensive team so far in the playoffs IMO. Playing without possibly their best defensive player against undoubtably the best offence in the league ATM, I expect spurs to win in 5 (maybe 6 if Durant and Westbrook have one monster game).

OKC 4-2

Spurs in 7.
Heat in 6.

Fair comment about Ibaka, they will miss his presence for sure, but let's face it OKC are more of a two man band than the Spurs and someone will have to step up each game if the Spurs can hold either Westbrooke or Durant.

Spurs reply on their regular stars, however spread the responsibility better IMO and should win the series, but I expect OKC to win at least 2 games.

It could come down to Patty and how many times he accelerates into 'Beast Mode' really... :]

Adam's is only getting better and Collison is reliable.
OKC in 6.

Spurs will be right in 6

Ibaka is their best/key defender and their third option on D. That's a lot to replace, and I dont think scott brooks is good enough to remedy that. Even with ibaka its a seven game coin flip for me and id be leaning towards the spurs.

They wouldnt have got past the clippers if it wasnt for ibaka destroying griffins soul.

Spurs in 6.

3rd option on offense*

Reggie Jackson will hopefully once again step up offensively against the Spurs as he did in the regular season.

Spurs have started impressively.

That spin move by Leonard was just spectacular!

I am just worried that if this Thunder team lose, that will be it. Brooks will be gone. And it will crumble. But, I urge Presti and everyone concerned to keep them together. Please! For the love of the game. There is no shame in losing to a team like the Spurs, who have been the best team since the turn of the century.

On another note, I may sound like I am whinging a little bit. But the Heat seem very fortunate when it comes to injuries (yes Wade is injured, but at least he can still play). This is the second year in a row the Thunder have been robbed after scumbag Beverley took out Westbrook.

Just frustrating. You get a team primed to win 2 years in a row. And both years injuries hold you back.

Nice to see two Kiwi's going head to head in the final minutes there...

Baynes v Adams!

:]

Brooks is terrible. Re-pick: Spurs in 5.

but have to get past the Pacers first.

Spurs in 6, if that but wont be Brooks fault. Ibaka is a massive loss in many ways for the Thunder. Too much pressure now on KD and Westbrook to do literally everything now. Serge can make the long 2 and defensively is a beast, so that loss clogs up the offense and makes penetration against them much easier. Brooks cant cover that loss no coach can.

Here's a GIF of Leonard's spin move for anyone interested.

There was one play in the third quarter where KD totally screwed the tempo of the Thunder offence.

They were running and taking quick shots, and Westbrook was killing it, then Durant decided it was his turn to score some points and didn't share with Russ. He missed a three pointer on that exact possession I think it was and they didn't score for another four minutes straight.

They started the third quarter with the right offensive mindset, but I think KD single-handedly stopped it.

Mick, it's not the coaches fault that his best defender is out for the season. He came out of the locker room with a game-winning plan and they didn't execute it on the floor.

He's a massive loss on the offensive end as well, that can't really be understated.

I guess a lot of it falls back on management too: they skimp on the roster and then when one guy goes down you're screwed. You're going to end up wasting the prime of Russ & KD with no titles to show for it.

Thanks Isaac, it clearly shows the usual NBA three step doesn't it? Never mind, awseome!!

Yeah unfortunately, regardless of the injury, Brooks will still get blamed no matter what.

Its the nature of the NBA.

@Bear: I can only count two steps in that GIF...

So hard to do.

A lot of the times you can get away with planting an extra foot there in the NBA but Leonard doesn't.

Such a tough move.

Bear,


I will take the bait. To clear it up Kyrie Irving is almost more an Australian than Baynes is a New Zealander. Aron was born in New Zealand to New Zealand parents but moved to Australia when he was a baby. He considers himself Australian but obviously has close ties to New Zealand. Just because we claim any successful New Zealander as an Aussie doesn't mean NZ should do the same. He plays for Australia (End of Story)

AussiePride

I am a proud Aussie, but I have no problem with NZers claiming an interest in Baynes.

Baynes has dual citizenship, right? That is the end of the story.

Baynes is an Aussie.

Baynes is an Aussie just as Irving is an American. It as interesting to hear the commentators refers to Adams v Baynes as a kiwi match up.