Thunder at Spurs: Game 2 Pregame Primer

vs.

OKC Thunder (8-2, 3-2 road) vs. San Antonio Spurs (9-0, 5-0 home)

TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CT

Spurs lead series 1-0

View from the enemy: 48 Minutes of Hell

Game 2 is not Game 7. It’s a nice thing to say, but James Harden is wrong. Because that’s kind of a dangerous way of thinking. And also, you don’t get eliminated in Game 2. Yeah, lose and you put yourself in a tough situation. One where you have to beat the Spurs four out of five. Not an easy assignment. But all of OKC’s eggs shouldn’t be in Game 2’s basket. Just most of them.

I hope the team doesn’t feel it, but to me, there’s some sort of mental block in overcoming the Spurs. Like if OKC could just beat them once, the floodgates might open. With the way the Spurs have played, there’s a certain invincibility to them. Like they can’t be beat. They’re going to do something to beat you. And that’s tough to overcome.

Game 1 was a giveaway. And the Thunder might really regret it. They had an opportunity to grab this series by the stones and didn’t finish the job. Those type of things are what cost you playoff games and such, playoff series. There’s no margin for error. If you make a mistake, you might end up regretting it for a summer.

But there’s time to salvage it. Game 2 is an new opportunity, a new chance to make right. A new chance to bring things back even and open the door. It won’t be easy and the Spurs aren’t going to give it away. The Thunder have to correct transgressions and play better. Simple stuff.

Tip at 8:00 CT. Go Split.