The Thunder and Spurs tip off at 9 p.m. ET.
The Thunder and Spurs tip off at 9 p.m. ET. mysanantonio.com

The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder meet Sunday night in a battle of NBA titans. The Western Conference Finals begin at 8:30 p.m. ET from San Antonio.

In many ways this is a battle of the old versus the new. San Antonio is the old, they have won four titles since they drafted Tim Duncan in 1997. Their core of Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all over 30 and are looking at a series that could represent their last chance at one more ring.

The Thunder are the new; their core of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and James Harden are all 23 years old. The Thunder have no titles, but their time could be coming. In 2008 they failed to make the playoffs, in 2009 they were knocked out in just six playoff games.

Last season the Thunder won two series, and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. In order to take the next step in their development, they must get past the Spurs.

San Antonio is 8-0 in the playoffs so far as part of an 18-game win streak and a stretch of 29-2 over their last 31 games. Sych stunning numbers would seem to indicate a cakewalk for the Spurs.

But Oklahoma City has an impressive streak of their own. The Thunder have gone 8-1 in the 2012 playoffs while bouncing the past two NBA champions from the playoffs. Durant is a perennial scoring champion, and they look like a team poised for a date with greatness.

Where To Watch: The game can be viewed online at FirstRowSports. It will also be broadcast nationally on TNT at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Prediction: The Spurs are a strong, dangerous veteran team. There is no way the kings give up their crowns to the jesters on thier home floor in game one. Look for Oklahoma City to keep it close, but ultimately fall short.

Predicted Score: San Antonio over Oklahoma City, 101-89.

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