2018 NBA Playoffs: First-round schedule, initial thoughts on each series

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3 of 9

Golden State Warriors (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)

Season Series: 3-1, Warriors

Game 1: Sat. April 14 – San Antonio at Golden State, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 2: Mon. April 16 – San Antonio at Golden State, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3: Thu. April 19 – Golden State at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4: Sun. April 22 – Golden State at San Antonio, 3:30 p.m., ABC
*Game 5: Tue. April 24 – San Antonio at Golden State, TBD
*Game 6: Thu. April 26 – Golden State at San Antonio, TBD
*Game 7: Sat. April 28 – San Antonio at Golden State, TNT

I would be interested in this series a whole lot more if Kawhi Leonard were playing. But, short of some sort of come to Jesus moment for the Spurs and Kawhi’s camp, I have a hard time seeing that happening.

Make no mistake, the Spurs will fight – with or without Kawhi. And this won’t be an “easy” series for the Warriors. They will probably still win in five or six games, but it will be a tough five or six games.

Another thing I’m interested in seeing is how the Warriors will look without Stephen Curry, assuming he won’t be playing. Can Kevin Durant carry and lead this team in the playoffs?