Aiden Woodworth P5 Spurs Success in the NBA Playoffs

Aiden Woodworth

P5

A Spurs Fan

Word Count: 764

The San Antonio Spurs Have Had Success in this year’s Playoffs

The Spurs have won all of their playoffs so far.

Another Spurs Fan

As of May 30, 2012 the San Antonio Spurs have won all of their playoff games this season. They have played the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Clippers and are currently playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs are currently on a 20 game winning streak and are showing no signs of stopping. They finished the season on a ten game streak and are currently on a ten game win streak in the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs the Spurs played the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have a reputation for being a dominate force in the playoffs, but after losing Deron Williams in a trade with the Nets, the Jazz did not make the playoffs last year. The Jazz, now with a new coach, reclaim their playoff run as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs, who are number one in the Western Conference, came into the series with a sense of confidence. The Spurs dominated game one winning 106-91. In game two they played even better and beat the Jazz 114-83. In game three they traveled to Utah and played in a sold out arena known for it is a loud crowd, and a tough place to win games. The Spurs however came and dominated game three winning 102-90. In game four the Spurs had a chance to sweep the series and go on to face the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs again beat the Jazz and won 87-81. The Spurs beat the Jazz by an average of 16 points per game and advanced to the next round in the playoffs to play the number five seed, the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers have made a reputation of being one of the worst teams in basketball. However they acquired Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets this year to team with Clippers star Blake Griffin allowing them to be a dominant team in the Western Conference finishing earning the Western Conference’s fifth seed for the playoffs. The Spurs know they will have a challenge playing against the dynamic duo, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. But, the Spurs came to win and they overcame the Clippers game with a 108-92 win in the first game. In game two the Spurs knew the Clippers would come out with a vengeance, so they played like they did in game one winning 105-88. In game three the Spurs traveled to Los Angeles, which has an intimidating basketball crowd. The Clippers produced a furious spree of points winning the first quarter 33-11. However, the Spurs mounted a rally in quarters two and three and end the game with a 96-86. In game four the Spurs had a chance to sweep the Clippers. The Spurs came out with intensity and prevailed and won 102-99.
Now the Spurs have their toughest challenge yet, they are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook who were Western Conference all-stars in 2012. The Thunder is second in the West and only one spot behind the Spurs. Many expect the series to be one of the hardest fought and most entertaining of the playoffs. It is believed to be a home-court series. In game one, the Spurs won 101-98 in a close game of ups and downs. The Spurs also took game two with a 120-111 win in a high scoring game. Now the Spurs will travel to Oklahoma City for games three and four to play in front of the Thunder’s home crowd which is arguably the best crowd in all of basketball.
The Spurs have been dominant in the playoffs and are going to be challenged by the Thunder who have the most potential of all the playoff teams to stop the Spurs winning streak. The Spurs are 20-0 in the playoffs and over the last ten games of the season. They have swept both the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. They are up 2-0 against the Thunder and are looking to increase their winning streak in game three. Many people believe that the reason the Spurs are winning is because they work well as a team. We will see if their teamwork will be the factor that brings another NBA Championship to San Antonio this year. Can the Spurs continue to increase their win streak in their bid to win the NBA playoffs this year?