NBA Playoffs
Western Conference - First Round
Tip-off: Sunday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -1.0, Total: 206.0

The Spurs’ quest for a second consecutive NBA title begins with a road game versus the Clippers in Los Angeles Sunday.

The Spurs enter the playoffs as winners in 11 of their last 12 games, but they did lose their regular season finale 108-103 as 5-point road favorites against the Pelicans. San Antonio has been on fire offensively, shooting 50% or better from the field in eight of their past 10 games. The Clippers were hot heading into the postseason as well, winning their seventh straight game when they beat the Suns 112-101 as 10.5-point road favorites in their regular season finale. Not only did Los Angeles win seven straight to end the year, but they also won 14 of their last 15 games. In four meetings between these teams in the regular season, the two squads split victories both SU and ATS. Each team won-and-covered in one of their two road games as well. Over the past three seasons, the Spurs are 6-5 SU but just 5-6 ATS overall against the Clippers. The teams have split wins both SU and ATS in six meetings at Staples Center in that time. The Spurs are 34-18 ATS off an upset loss as favorites over the past three seasons. They are, however, just 3-13 ATS when playing only their second game in five days this season. C Tiago Splitter (calf) is questionable for San Antonio and Los Angeles is not currently dealing with any injuries.

The Spurs got insanely hot to end the season and a lot of that has to do with the play of SF Kawhi Leonard (16.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.3 SPG). Leonard has emerged as one of the top two-way players in the game and he will need to have a huge series for San Antonio. In three games against L.A. this season, Leonard averaged 18.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.3 SPG in 32.7 MPG. He will need to hit some outside shots and also shut down Chris Paul when called upon. PG Tony Parker (14.4 PPG, 4.9 APG) will need to go toe-to-toe with Paul offensively in this series. Parker may not guard Paul all series, but he must find a way to score on him on the other end. He averaged 16.3 PPG and 7.5 APG in three meetings with the Clippers this season and must be aggressive going to the basket. PF Tim Duncan (13.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.0 BPG) averaged 18.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG in four games against the Clippers this season. Duncan must use his smarts to hold his own against Blake Griffin in this series. He is a very good defender, but must find a way to counter Griffin’s speed and athleticism. SG Manu Ginobili (10.5 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has had a knack for performing at a high level in the playoffs. He’ll need to add a scoring punch from the wing in this series.

The Clippers finished the regular season playing some of their best basketball all year and must now find success in the grueling Western Conference playoffs. PG Chris Paul (19.1 PPG, 10.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG) has a reputation for not carrying his teams far in the playoffs, but he’ll look to change that starting on Sunday. He averaged 21.7 PPG, 10.6 APG, 4.0 RPG and 1.9 SPG in his final 10 games of the regular season and his speed should give the Spurs a lot of issues. On the defensive end, he needs to keep Tony Parker from going off. PF Blake Griffin (21.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.3 APG) dominated the Spurs this season, putting up 25.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG and 5.7 APG in three meetings with the team. He can be too athletic for Tim Duncan at times and must be aggressive going to the rim on Sunday. C DeAndre Jordan (11.5 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG) is going to need to control the glass and protect the rim in this series. He is far too athletic for any of the Spurs’ centers to keep up with, so he’ll need to make his mark in this series. SG J.J. Redick (16.4 PPG) has been one of the league’s best shooters since he was drafted and that has not been any different this season. He’s been outstanding from the outside (44% 3PT) and must space the floor in this series. SG Jamal Crawford (15.8 PPG) is still getting his legs back after hurting his calf a few weeks back. He can be a major x-factor in this series if he gets it going.