The Spurs face a challenge against Blake Griffin. (Getty Images)


San Antonio is going to score. Lots and lots. The Spurs feature the best offense in the playoffs, which is saying something considering the strength of Oklahoma City's arsenal. The Spurs are going to get those points, and should the Clippers be unable to make a dent in their attack, this series won't go long. 

But San Antonio has a problem of its own  on its hands, Blake Griffin.

Griffin's popularity arc, from hyped rookie to explosive phenom to All-Star to flopper who is questioned regarding his ofensive versatility, has been stunningly fast. But lost in the whirlwind is that while Griffin's mid-range game is a disaster and he does tend to exaggerate contact, the fact remains that he is a talented scorer, an athletic freak, and his post footwork is excellent.

The Spurs, on the other hand, feature a defensive frontline that has overachieved for much of the season. Tim Duncan is a future Hall of Famer and a superb defender. But he's also struggled in recent years with hyper-athletic players. Griffin certainly fits that mold. Tiago Splitter brings excellent size but is raw and inexperienced with rotations and post defense. Boris Diaw has worlds of experience but lacks physical superiority and lateral quickness. DeJuan Blair struggles in much the same way, only without the experience. Stunningly, Matt Bonner has been a superb defender this season. But there are still quetions about his ability to handle quality offensive threats without considerable help. 

Just to review, if you were wondering if Griffin really had any offense beyond just dunks:

 

Griffin has two points of attack. He'll often receive the ball in the post, where he has good handle on the catch and can protect the ball well against a single defender. From there he most often faces up, to guage whether he can get by his defender using his speed and explosiveness. If the defender is able to cut off that first drive to, yes, dunk, he moves to his post offense. The Spurs don't want to double Griffin down low, he's not that much of a killer in the post yet and that frees up shooters, which the Clippers do have. 

So the secret is to attack Griffin not when he's initiating, but at his release point.

 

You'll notice Griffin's ability to get past his initial defender. This is going to be an issue for the Spurs. If they don't keep their heads up and bring help, Griffin's going to feast, because they don't have much in the way of a defender to stop him one-on-one. 

 

The Spurs used a number of different defenders on Griffin throughout their three regular season meetings. Their best success came in playing off Griffin in the pick and roll, allowing him the catch, and daring him to take the mid-range jumper. Griffin has routinely shot the mid-range jumper in an effort to lure the defender out, which makes it easier on him to get to the rim. The shot's just not there, yet, if it ever will be. If Griffin goes for that approach, the Spurs will gladly live with it and feast on the rebounds to kick start their fast break. If he's going to be successful, he has to go right at the defense from range and avoid turning the ball over on a steal. 

 

Griffin averaged 1.17, 1.00, and .83 points per possession against the Spurs this season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich deployed DeJuan Blair on Griffin for many possessions, which is unlikely both because of Blair's diminished role on the team, and due to Blair's athletic disadvantage. Memphis' Marc Gasol had sustained success against Griffin, and you have to imagine tha Tiago Splitter will similarly get turns, with Tim Duncan battling DeAndre Jordan. 

How healthy is Griffin? Can he combat the Spurs' help defense? Will San Antonio double? Those are the issues that will decide if the Clippers' offense can keep up with the Spurs' onslaught in what figures to be an exciting series.