For the second time this season, the San Antonio Spurs will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, and confidence is at an all-time high.
Ask anyone and their mothers (assuming they casually follow the NBA), and they'll tell you that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the Western Conference. It's an easy argument to make and a hard one to disprove. After all, they dominate on both sides of the ball, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seems poised to win his second MVP in a row.
With their only losses this season coming to the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Thunder are a very real threat to break the NBA's win record, set by the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs, after beating the Thunder, emerged as viable threats to the crown in the West, way ahead of schedule.
Supporting the Spurs' claim is the fact that they beat the top team in the West. And the third-place Denver Nuggets. And the fourth place Los Angeles Lakers. And the sixth-place Houston Rockets.
Clearly, the Spurs' NBA Cup win over OKC wasn't a fluke, and they'll have a chance to prove it on Tuesday night. With an earlier upset win under their belt, the Spurs are entering the game with supreme confidence, although they know it won't be easy.
"We expect a dogfight, another one," said Stephon Castle. "We beat them last time. Obviously, they're the defending champs, having a great season. So I mean, we expect nothing less from them to respond."
Against OKC in the last game, Victor Wembanyama came off the bench and recorded a +21 in only 20 minutes of play. He is easily the better player between himself and Chet Holmgren, and he has his sights on taking down the MVP.
While the Spurs have the talent to win on any given night, OKC is a bit more experienced and reliable, especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Spurs will have their work cut out for them.
"I haven't given it much thought yet, but obviously, they are the reigning champs and are who they are," explained Mitch Johnson. "So they expect a very competitive, high-level game."
It's expected that Wembanyama will remain on the bench, although he has been able to make the most of his limited minutes, with his masterclass against OKC standing as a strong example. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle have been excellent floor-spacers in the recent stretch, and an added two-way punch from De'Aaron Fox gives the Spurs a very real chance to take a 2-0 series lead on one of the most dominant teams ever.