Spurs-Warriors closer than at first glance

San Antonio and Golden State may not share in some bitter, deep-seated rivalry, but this matchup -- featuring the new Western Conference favorite and most fiercely entertaining team of the postseason -- should easily compensate for its lack of narrative clout. The Warriors are fresh off a first-round upset of the Nuggets. The well-rested Spurs, now the front-runners to make the NBA Finals after Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's season-ending knee injury, remain the image of stoic dependability. This isn't a particularly even series in terms of the teams' profiles, but it promises to bring a combination of high-level play, calculated coaching and striking individual performance.