Capsule preview of the Spurs-Warriors conference finals

Leonard sat out the Spurs’ series-clinching victory over the Houston Rockets with an ankle injury on Thursday.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has launched into the mind games ahead of its Western Conference finals series against the Golden State Warriors.

The San Antonio Spurs will now square off against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals. And while San Antonio deserves credit for largely staying faithful to its more traditional 2-big lineups involving LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol in this series, the team’s ability to go small – even without Parker or Leonard available – essentially delivered the knockout blow in Game 6.

After averaging 29.1 points per game in the regular season, Harden, the most explosive Rocket, was a dud in Game 6. “No matter what it was, we just didn’t have it tonight”. “I was making passes and we didn’t knock down shots. As a team, as a unit, we didn’t have a rhythm and they capitalized on that”, added the 27-year-old shooting guard. “Demanded the ball, got in good position. he was wonderful on the boards and of course he passes it really, really well and gets it moving for us”. He has a great mind, he understands the game, he knows what it takes to win, he’s strong enough to make demands fairly and follow through, and he’s great with people.

If his left ankle and knee issues can be managed with an extra day of treatment and rest, Leonard will individually give Golden State all they can handle.

Aldridge more than picked up the slack in Leonard’s absence.

“It’s a totally different animal”, Popovich said. But it still seemed to be bothering him quite a bit after the game when he headed to the bus still walking with a noticeable limp.

“They’re just so dominant down low; they have so many veterans on this basketball team”. Every team is different. He finished with a game-high 34 points and 12 rebounds as he picked Houston’s interior defense apart. San Antonio won the best-of-seven series 4-2. “He was an absolute beast (Thursday), and that’s who he is”.

Out of work last season, Brown spent much of his time attending Spurs meetings, practices and games in an informal capacity with good friend, Popovich. “He’s resting and trying to be ready for tomorrow, so we’ll see”.

Wednesday night was an elimination game for the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs. But I haven’t thought about it. “I expect them to come away with one win, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they get swept”. However, the coaching team chose to let Leonard completely recover from his injured left ankle so he can be 100 percent ready when their team faces the Golden State Warriors.