Round one of the NLL playoffs in the books and the San Antonio Spurs are heading to the 2nd round for the 3rd straight season.Entering the playoffs as the 4 seed after a raft of injuries and players out after conflict with management, the Spurs got back on course in the 1st round sweeping the Suns.
Anthony Davis' return to the court was a much needed boon for the team. He kicked off exactly where he left after having issue with the direction of the franchise and trying to force his way out of town. Getting back fellow starter T.J Warren allowed J.J Redick to come off the bench as 6th man as was intended when he was acquired, JJ didn't disappoint. 15 points per game shooting 42% from deep on over 8 attempts per game was a major bonus for the teams bench especially with Davis, Embiid and Warren carrying the load for the starters.
Heading into round 2 the Spurs now face the West's best regular season team the Clippers. In what feels like it could be a changing of the guard series the clippers gain Devin Booker to boost their already potent offense.
For the Spurs to be competitive they need to control the boards and hope the big men can carry the load once again. Finding a way to slow the Clippers down and grind it out is going to be a focus for the team.
Marcus Smart will return in game 4 but by then will it be too late? Smarts defense has played a vital role in the Spurs season keeping them afloat while others rested ailing bodies.
This looks like it will be a cracker of a series and despite being a deserved underdog the team likes it's chances to compete game in game out.
