NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 big questions for Warriors vs. Spurs matchup

4. Will the Spurs dominate the glass?

One of the biggest advantages in this Western Conference Finals for San Antonio is their size and ability to rebound the basketball. It’s an issue that’s constantly plagued the Warriors, as they’ve been battling size issues all year long. The Warriors might be ranked seventh in total rebounding for the season, but their offensive rebounding is average, only grabbing 9.4 per game. San Antonio has been significantly better in this area, getting 10 offensive rebounds per game.

In the season opener between San Antonio and Golden State, the Spurs beat up the Warriors on the offensive glass, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second and third possessions. It doesn’t matter if the Warriors have an airtight defense if they can’t keep San Antonio off the glass. Eventually, with all those extra possessions, the Spurs will make up the difference.

In the final matchup between the Spurs and Warriors, when Golden State came back from an early deficit, the Dubs slowed San Antonio’s big men on the glass. Although San Antonio won the rebounding battle, they only grabbed six more offensive and seven more total rebounds. The Warriors can live with that in this series.

San Antonio will continue to dominate the glass as long as they stay in their bigger lineup. Coach Popovich likes to rotate a plethora of big men, from LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol to David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon. Each of the four players, averaged at least five rebounds per game in the regular season and should continue to beat up the Dubs on the glass in this series.

On the other hand, the Warriors had only three such players that had at least five rebounds per game — Kevin Durant, Zaza Pachulia and Draymond Green. It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Warriors in the rebounding department, but if they can slow down San Antonio just a little bit, that’s all they probably need.