2017 Conf. Semis: (2) San Antonio vs. (3) Houston

[Lamrock]

As expected, the Spurs and Rockets will face off for the right to lose to Golden State in the conference finals. Mike D'Antoni led the Suns to four playoff appearances, and Popovich was responsible for ending three of those runs. Can he finally get revenge?

I think so. Kawhi is a god, but Tony Parker can't always be relied on to produce at this point (despite some good games of late), and Aldridge is usually good for one or two monster games before going full Hibbert the rest of the series... Rockets aren't the best defensively, but I don't think San Antonio can outscore them four times out of seven.

I'm feeling Rockets in 6.

BONUS: A preview of James Harden's offseason antics:

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

I'll go with the Spurs in six.

[Dee4Three]

I feel this series goes 7 games, but Spurs prevail.

However, I feel that the Rockets are far more equipped this season to put up a fight, and possibly steal the series. I'm looking at you Nene, Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and Eric Gordon. Harden is obviously a hell of a player, but they can have success with him OFF the floor because of Harden's impressive supporting cast (As proven when they played the Thunder in the first round, something The Brodie lacked).

I'm actually expecting a big series out of Lamarcus Aldridge. He's no longer in the grind house, he will have better looks at the hoop, and less of a physical toll put on him. I'm also expecting Ryan Anderson to have more of an impact in this series than he did in the first round. Leonard will be Leonard, I don't expect anything different from him.

This Rockets team is deep, but so are the Spurs. It will be a great series.

[JaoSming]

Going Rockets in 7. Spurs seemed like they were running out of gas at the end of the Grizzlies series

[[Q]]

I don't think Houston wins this one. San Antonio is too experienced and too disciplined to lose against a Pringles team

[big-shot-ROB]

I had everything clear before reading everyone else's opinions. I thought Houston didn't stand a chance. Voted for Spurs in 5 still.

[PeacemanNOT]

I have to agree that the Spurs didn't look like their selves in the Grizzlies series. However looking at how close those games against the Thunder were and how poor OKC played as a unit it kind of makes you wonder how good are the Rockets really? For that I feel like the Spurs will steal this series.

Spurs in 6

[Dee4Three]

Nobody really looks like themselves against the Grizzlies in important games, because of the style they play. Teams end up grinding to get wins, having to play more physical than normal.

The Spurs should look much more cozy against the Rockets.

[air gordon]

love to see harden and the rockets take out another MVP candidate

but i'd also like to see kawai face off against the lebron jameses

[deihatein]

As a Dallas Mavericks fan, I want these two teams to spontaneously combust.

That is all Rockets in 7

[Dee4Three]

As a Dallas Mavericks fan, I want these two teams to spontaneously combust.

That is all Rockets in 7

You had 10-11, hopefully you still are high off of that title run.

[NovU]

The Rockets WOW. Amazing, what can I say. They are more energetic, play young, and making all the winning plays especially from downtown.

Damn, the Spurs look old. Gino and Tony look half step slow and get stuck between defense so easily now. Reminded me of watching Wade.

[bowdown]

Aldridge has become one lazy SOB since coming to the Spurs. He was already fat last season now his production has started to drop considerably.

[Andrew]

For now, it is but one game. Still, it makes a statement out of the gate, and the Rockets are looking pretty good right about now.

[Stress Fracture]

Aldridge has become one lazy SOB since coming to the Spurs. He was already fat last season now his production has started to drop considerably.

I thought Aldridge would Barbecue Chicken the Rockets' big men, but damn, it looked like the Monstars stole his talent.

His back to back 40 point games in 2014 still haunts me to this day.

[air gordon]

The Rockets WOW. Amazing, what can I say. They are more energetic, play young, and making all the winning plays especially from downtown.

Damn, the Spurs look old. Gino and Tony look half step slow and get stuck between defense so easily now. Reminded me of watching Wade.

Add lee and Pau to the list. Maybe kawhi will be forced to be Pf now

[Andrew]

Spurs tie it up, but may have lost Parker to a knee injury.

[Valor]

Kawhi made the Rockets look like little kids today, but TP's injury might have just killed off the Spurs championship chances

[volsey]

First off christ, Kawhi is just a monster. His game is so groomed, and the best part of it is he doesn't rely purely on his athleticism. I'm really hoping he's MVP next season; It honestly hurts to think that Harden is a runner up MVP candidate when you watch him play defense sometimes.

Second I really hope TP is all right. Between his play and Vince Carter's in the last series (which wasn't quite on the same level as TP's but none the less he was contributing), I felt some MAJOR nostalgia, and almost forgot what era of ball I was watching.

[NovU]

I'd say Westy and Harden are considered more valuable players only because of larger role they take on for their team. Both are otherwise inferior players imho. Kawhi is close to being a best player in the league if not for playoffs mode LBJ.

[Lamrock]

As expected, Tony Parker out for the season with a torn quadriceps tendon (ouch!). He's had an excellent post-season so far, but the Spurs are a deep team, so this may not necessarily be the end of the world for them.

The rest of the team is going to need to be at the top of their game. Patty Mills has an opportunity to earn himself a max contract here.

[Andrew]

Even if he's past his prime, that is a tough break for the Spurs. Patty Mills' time to shine.

[air gordon]

Game 5 was the best game of the playoffs thus far. Not too many Spurs - rockets fan here lol

[Lamrock]

Really not much enthusiasm for these playoffs in general, given everything leading up to the finals is just pre-season. Sad I had to work though, as this game sounds epic.

[Andrew]

Really not much enthusiasm for these playoffs in general, given everything leading up to the finals is just pre-season.

Agreed. With all the blowouts and seemingly inevitable result of Warriors vs. Cavs, it's been hard to get invested in the Playoffs, and I've found myself switching off. Unfortunate, because Game 5 did sound like a good one.