Why Sitting Kawhi Is The Best Move

3) Protect Home Court:

• The San Antonio Spurs had the second best home record in the league, behind the Golden State Warriors. So the Spurs are capable of turning it on in Game 3 and 4 if need be. The Spurs also have shown in the last week that they are formidable without Leonard and could very well take the Warriors on the road. It's a calculated risk to take but a gimpy Leonard could simply make the issue worst, putting faith in the Spurs home-prowess isn’t a bad move.

2) Team-Motivation:

• Coach Popovich has been rather vocal about Kawhi Leonard’s injury at the hands of Zaza Pachulia, so this may be a motivating tactic for his team. Sure, he isn't going to hold out Leonard purposely for this reason but it may be a consolation prize. The Spurs can come out and play a largely pressure-free game and play hard for their fallen comrade and see what happens. The Warriors may not be capable of matching their intensity and maybe the Spurs can steal one.

3) Game 3/Rest Time:

• Game 3 of this series isn’t until Saturday in San Antonio. This will give Kawhi Leonard much needed rest and treatment for his ailing ankle. A full five days to rest in the playoffs is an extreme luxury and could be the key to the series. If Leonard can come back close to 100% it may not matter if the Spurs are down 0-2 to the Warriors. The Spurs would be in awesome shape if they can somehow pull off a win in Game 2 while their superstar gets closer to health.