By eliminating the Houston Rockets from the National Basketball Association playoffs in a thorough 39-point rout, the San Antonio Spurs punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.
Back in 2013, the Spurs were the second seed again while the Warriors were the sixth seed.
While the Warriors are the unquestioned favorites in the series, a healthy Leonard will at least give the Spurs a puncher's chance against the two-time defending Western Conference champions.
And everybody is just waiting for Popovich to do some magic, like he did at the end of Game 5 in San Antonio and for all of Game 6 in Houston last round, with Leonard out, Houston handed the large advantage... and the Spurs won anyway. He played half of the fourth quarter and did not take the court for overtime but still led the Spurs with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Isaiah Thomas on Game 7: 'That's Where Legends Are Born'
Boston's Isaiah Thomas had a chance to win the game with less than two seconds left, but his contested three missed the mark. However, Wall's heroics would give the Wizards the win and send the series to a do or die game seven.
This time around, the Spurs, for the first time in a while, look like clear underdogs. Ah well. I'll see you in the Finals.
San Antonio went 2-1 against the Warriors during the regular season, although one of those wins came in a game that saw both teams rest the bulk of their top players. Coach Gregg Popovich, meanwhile, sounded playful beyond that. "I think this one prepared us for the next one", said Green reflecting on his team's collective effort. Game 1 went to double OT and Game 4 had the third OT. Offensively defensively we know what's coming, as far as plays and system and passing, movement.
Previous year would've been really interesting.
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