NBA Playoffs | Western Conf | Semi-Finals | (2) San Antonio vs (6) Golden State

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Round one for the Spurs was almost like a warm up. The Lakers didn't test their will or push them to their limit. Fortunately, the Spurs are full of veteran leadership that's been there before. With Greg Popovich at the helm, coasting through round one isn't such a bad thing.

On the other hand, the Warriors were battle tested against a Nuggets team with a chip on their shoulder. They battled through injuries to their two stars Stephen Curry and David Lee and came out stronger on the other end. I can't emphasis enough how instrumental Mark Jackson has been in leading one of the youngest teams in the league through the playoffs.

This isn't necessarily a match up of age and experience versus youth and immaturity, but it might feel like it for Game 1 in San Antonio. The lights get brighter in round 2.

Keys to Victory – Health
Tony Parker is getting his step back after suffering an ankle injury late in the season. Duncan and Ginobili are well rested. Thiago Splitter should return for game 1. For the Warriors, David Lee is likely out for the remainder of the series. Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut are hobbled. As the playoffs goes on, the key players spend more time on the floor. The team that’s able to do that in this series should have quite the advantage.

X-Factor – Steph Curry’s Ankle
Of the four remaining playoffs series, this has been the toughest to pick. That’s because of Stephen Curry. When healthy, he’s as dangerous an offensive threat as there is. He commands extra attention. It doesn’t benefit you to go under or over the pick and roll game the Warriors are capable of playing. And he needs to be watched like a hawk off the ball. But when Steph isn’t 100%, he’s defendable. We aren’t exactly sure what he is right now.

Prediction – San Antonio in 6
This feels a little bit like a different Spurs team than the ones in previous years. They’re a different team than the one that lost to OKC after leading 2-0 or in the first round to the Grizzlies. Tim Duncan is younger somehow. Parker is getting back to mid-season form. Leonard, Green and Ginobili are energized. It  just feels a bit like the experience of San Antonio might win out against this time.