The Spurs didn't simply win Game 4, they provided an emotional exclamation point on a postseason that has been difficult and unusual for those in the franchise. They won one for the Popovich family, won one to prove they could as Kawhi Leonard sits, won one that might be a final home game for Manu Ginobili, and it was one of the feel-good stories of the NBA playoffs so far.
But the Warriors will look to close things out at home in Tuesday's Game 5 at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
The Warriors are still the overwhelming favorite in the series, but you can never count out a team with the pedigree of the San Antonio Spurs. There might be a little more pressure on the Warriors for Game 5 than they would like, despite that 3-1 lead.
No. 2 Golden State Warriors (58-24) vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs (47-35)
How to watch Game 5
Date: Tuesday, April 24
Tuesday, April 24 Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
10:30 p.m. ET Location: Oracle Arena in Oakland, California
Oracle Arena in Oakland, California TV: TNT
TNT Live stream: TNTDrama.com or TNT App
Live updates from Game 5
Playoff series schedule
Season series: 3-1, Warriors
Last season's playoff results: Warriors won 2016-17 NBA title; Spurs lost to Warriors (4-0) in Western Conference finals
Injury report: Warriors guards Stephen Curry (knee) and Patrick McCaw (spinal contusion) are expected to miss the entire first-round series. Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (quad) is also expected to miss the entire series.
Golden State Warriors starting lineup: G Andre Iguodala; G Klay Thompson; F Kevin Durant; F Draymond Green; C JaVale McGee
San Antonio Spurs starting lineup: G Dejounte Murray; G Patty Mills; G Danny Green; F Kyle Anderson; F LaMarcus Aldridge
Golden State wins if ...
This isn't the usual, dominant Warriors team that we're used to seeing heading into the first round, but they still have plenty of firepower. Basically, if the Warriors play up to their potential offensively, even without Steph Curry, the Spurs simply won't be able to score enough points to keep up with them. Kevin Durant creates incredible matchup problems for the Spurs if Leonard is unable to play, so he should be the focal point for Golden State.
San Antonio wins if ...
This is probably the least intimidating Spurs team of the past two decades, but they're still the Spurs. Without Leonard's two-way excellence, head coach Gregg Popovich is going to have to put on a master class of coaching and the Spurs will have to execute to perfection. Not only that, but LaMarcus Aldridge will have to be the best player on the court in numerous games if San Antonio is going to stand a chance.
SportsLine projections
According to SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh, Golden State has a 98.3 percent chance to win the first round and a 80.5 percent chance to reach the conference finals. SportsLine will have game-by-game gambling advice for every playoff series here.
2018 NBA Playoff Bracket