Spurs are the only team that should look forward to an OKC playoff clash

If the Spurs haven't been convincing enough to you, I don't know what else to say at this point. This team has been on an absolute tear through the season, sitting comfortably in the second spot in the Western Conference. It's a feat that many didn't see coming in the summer.

What's been most impressive is their quality of wins. San Antonio had its way with some of the league's most elite teams, particularly the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, against whom they have a 4-1 season series advantage.

Bleacher Report lists the Spurs as OKC's nightmare playoff matchup in the spring, and it's tough to disagree. It's like they're lab-manufactured and programmed to make things difficult for the Thunder.

Keeping the reigning MVP in check

A significant part of beating OKC is cutting the head off of the snake that is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's been terrorizing opponents through the season, free throws and all. His average of 31.6 PPG makes it his fourth consecutive season with a 30-point average.

But he's not as dominant when facing San Antonio. His average goes down to about 29 PPG in those matchups, which isn't bad, but there's a noticeable dip in three-point efficiency and free throw attempts.

Sure, a team can never truly shut down someone of Shai's caliber, but slowing him down and making him work a bit harder goes a long way.

Stephon Castle has been key as a point-of-attack defender against SGA, using his physicality and footwork to force turnovers and tough contested shots. The postseason is about matchups, and the Spurs have their trump card to disrupt the reigning MVP's rhythm.

Neutralizing a historically great defense

The next piece of the puzzle when dealing with the Thunder is their defense. It's been one of the best in the NBA for the last few seasons, historic even, but San Antonio's personnel gives them an advantage in their matchups. This could very well carry into the postseason.

The Thunder's defense is spearheaded by guards who can get out on the perimeter and pressure the hell out of the ball. This aggressive style leads to a high amount of forced turnovers, as they are second in the league in that category.

Luckily, San Antonio has multiple guards who control the ball well. As a team, they rank fourth in the league in turnovers per game, and for the majority of their matchups against OKC, they've stayed solid in their area. They've gone above their average amount of turnovers per game just once in the season series.

Not only can their guards control the rock, but they can punish tight on-ball coverage due to their quickness and ability to beat defenders off the bounce. This can soften up OKC's pressure and slow things down for San Antonio.

Additionally, the Spurs can deploy lineups that space the floor a ton. This neutralizes the impact of OKC's resident shot blocker, Chet Holmgren, pulling him from the paint and creating opportunities at the rim.

The Spurs have done more than enough to prove that they are a formidable opponent for the defending champions. If both groups do cross paths again in the playoffs, San Antonio has the blueprint to advance past them and get a step closer toward their ultimate goal.