Tonight is Game 4 of this not so competitive WCF series, and it could all end in 4 game. The Warriors are one win away from being just the 3rd team in NBA history to eliminate Gregg Popovich era Spurs on their home floor and just the 2nd since the Shaq and Kobe’s ’01 Lakers to enter the finals 12-0.
Kawhi Leonard is reportedly “likely to sit” this Game 4 so the Spurs will again be without their best player. Pachulia’s family has been sent death threats due to what Pachulia is calling Gregg Popovich’s fault.
Foul play has been a theme in this series. From Pachulia to Lamarcus Aldridge to Dedmom’s screen on Curry; which Curry believes was a ‘dirty play’.
Since Leonard went down the Warriors are a +73 even though last game was the closes game in the series. David Lee (knee) is doubtful along with the Warriors Zaza Pachulia (heel) is questionable.
Johnathan Simmons will make the start for the 3rd time this series. He’s been an asset for the Spurs while Aldridge has been a bit of a liability for the most part. Within the last 2 games both Simmons and Aldridge have scored 36 points a piece. For an All-Star forward in Aldridge and a guy who paid $150 for a tryout, Aldridge is now a 2nd option to the D-League MVP. The Spurs will lose this game if Aldridge does not score 40+ points and 15+ boards along with 3+ blocks.
Without a dominant scorer from the Spurs then they are no match for 4 All-Stars that include 2 MVPs from the last 3 years. Everyone on the Spurs roster who steps on the floor has to contribute as one. There has to be at least 7 double figure scorers for the Spurs to fill the Leonard void and also to compete with the scoring outburst from the Warriors.
San Antonio has to be ready for a Warriors spurt and try not to panic when it happens. They have to play through their crowd and let them motivate their game. Complete their offense plays and stay away from turnovers.
The Spurs have led in POT’s in 2 of the 3 games so far but the Warriors points come off fast breaks and at the perfect time between a 15-2, 16-0,19-5 run that puts the Warriors up 12 and demoralize an opponents confidence. When you have to guard the perimeter but everyone on the perimeter can take you off the dribble it’s hard to defend.
What the Warriors have is what the Spurs lack; elite offensive talent. Elite offense always prevails over good defense, especially a defense that doesn’t have their best defender. Without Leonard the Spurs simply can’t beat this Warriors team if they don’t play their brand of basketball.
Game 4 tonight @ 9 est on ESPN
