Rebounding has been a dominant theme for the Warriors ever since they learned San Antonio would be their finals opponent, and Curry picked up the beat in the final practice before Game 1.
Leonard is likely to be back in the lineup for Game 1 against the Warriors. "I think this one prepared us for the next one", said Green reflecting on his team's collective effort. "But we know that it is important to get reenergized both mentally and physically and at the same time stay sharp", said guard Kevin Durant.
San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, still nursing a sore left ankle, is expected to return against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. The Spurs last saw the NBA Championship in 2013 when they bested the Miami Heat. But Golden State happens to be the No. 2 overall defense, only giving up 0.5 more points per 100 possessions than the Spurs.
Even with Leonard in the fold, the Spurs are 10-point underdogs entering Sunday's Game 1, per OddsShark. "Somebody actually asked me when we opened the Houston series what I would take from the '95 series [against the Rockets], if you guys remember that". The 11-year veteran, in his second season with the Spurs, averaged just 9.5 points in the first two games before averaging 23.5 in the last four, highlighted by a season-high 34 in Game 6. James Harden, Houston's MVP candidate, submitted one of his worst games of the season, finishing with 10 points (on 2-of-11 shooting), seven assists and six turnovers. Golden State won 110-98.
"We understand that the team we're now facing is the most risky team in the league with a lot of weapons", Pau Gasol said. All-Star forward Kevin Durant was still sidelined with a knee injury he sustained on February 28. I can get him off the ball some.
For five games there was no telling who would take the Western Conference Semifinal series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets.
Mills helps Spurs close out Rockets
The Spurs are going to need Leonard to be healthy and MVP-level brilliant to have a shot against the Warriors next round. He had as many points in the first half as he had turnovers, five. "We just didn't play well", Harden told reporters.
Mills has been outstanding, with 14 points and seven assists in their series clincher against the Rockets on Thursday and 20 points in game five.
The Celtics lead their second round series 3-2 and can close it out with a win Friday in Washington.
Spurs: Danny Green got a technical in the third quarter for a scuffle with Ariza. They're not on the Spurs' bench because they can't play basketball.
Leonard has spent his entire NBA career in San Antonio after originally being selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft out of San Diego State. "It was a long series, an exhausting series and now we play at noon, but we're here", Manu Ginobili said.
"We've seen him in different jerseys since he's left here (Boston and Dallas before San Antonio)", Curry said.
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