Mar 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) passes the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder center
Steven Adams(12) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City at San Antonio Spurs
DATE: Tuesday, April 12, 2016
TIME: 7 p.m. CST
BROADCAST INFO: TNT, FOX Sports – Oklahoma
LAST SEASON’S RECORD VS. OPPONENT: 1-2
What? Again???
Yes, the Spurs make this list twice because they are the last team on the regular-season schedule. This could be a game of no importance and if that’s the case, just picture this game without the future hall-of-famers from either roster on the floor – that battle between Patty Mills and D.J. Augustin just doesn’t have as much appeal, does it?
But, if it’s anything like last season, this game could have serious playoff implications.
It could determine if either team makes the playoffs as it did last year for OKC. When they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the last game of the season, they did everything possible to assure themselves a postseason berth. Unfortunately, the Spurs didn’t hold up their end of the bargain and they lost to New Orleans, allowing the Pelicans to enter the playoffs as the eighth-seed in the West.
This game could also have a significant impact on final seeding. The Spurs fell victim to the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs because they couldn’t lock down a higher seed and face a weaker opponent.
So, while there’s a chance that this contest could have no impact on either team’s playoff standings, that seems highly unlikely in the ultra-competitive West. Facing the Spurs is the perfect end to the season, capping it just as it began.
WATCHABILITY FACTOR: 10 out of 10 (or 1 of 10)