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Ranking OKC’s Preferred First Round Playoff Opponents

By Austin Sternlicht

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 01: Russell Westbrook
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 01: Russell Westbrook /
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OKC Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 10: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder drives to the basket against the San Antonio Spurs on March 10, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The big mystery that Western Conference playoff teams will keep an eye on. The Thunder could certainly end up playing this team in a 3-6 or 4-5 matchup. While not the most talented of rosters, avoiding this powerhouse would be ideal.

7. San Antonio Spurs

Perhaps the biggest question yet to be answered in the regular season is whether or not Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard returns. The 2014 Finals MVP has played just nine games this season due to a nagging quad injury that has appeared to have caused a rift between the Spurs and Leonard’s camp. Even though little time remains to get re-acclimated, Leonard has said he wants to return this season. Should Leonard come back, even at half of his potential, it would spell trouble for any first round opponent the Spurs play, including the Thunder. When healthy, Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the entire NBA.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter who head coach Gregg Poppovich throws out there. The Spurs system can help even the most mediocre of players look like serviceable contributors. The Spurs already have the number one defense in the NBA. Imagine how much scarier it would be bringing back the two-time defensive player of the year. Plus, if the Spurs get in, it clearly means they figured something out.

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