NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Spurs vs. Rockets matchup
3. Clint Capela and the athletic big man
The Spurs this season have had difficulty when the opposition presents a talented center, especially one that’s athletic and is effective in the pick-and-roll game. San Antonio has been making do with some misfits at center. It’s either the older Pau Gasol and David Lee or the defense-only Dewayne Dedmon.
San Antonio’s brilliant coaching and defensive schemes have tried to hide this flaw, but this might be the series where this gets exposed. James Harden and Clint Capela use the high pick-and-roll as their bread and butter play and it might cripple the Spurs.
Capela has been solid against San Antonio this year, averaging 12.0 points per game on nearly 57 percent shooting. He struggled in the playoffs so far, having difficulty keeping up with the size and athleticism of Thunder’ big man, Steven Adams. That won’t be an issue in this series, as Capela is quicker than Gasol or Lee and longer than Dedmon.
The Spurs have historically struggled with the athletic big men, especially in the past few years with a non-prime Tim Duncan. Last year against the Thunder, it was Steven Adams and Enes Kanter that caused the damage. Two years ago against the Clippers, it was DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.
Although Capela might not be as talented as those guys, he can still wreak havoc against the front line of the Spurs. It will be imperative for the Spurs to slow down the pick-and-roll game and especially Capela.