May 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Carl Landry (7) celebrates after a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After defeating the Denver Nuggets in six games in the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors will now look ahead to their next challenge, otherwise known as the San Antonio Spurs.

Monday night’s game between the Warriors and Spurs will presumably be a wild one, as both teams are coming off of very different first round victories.

The Warriors were able to take down the Nuggets in a very physical, scrappy, and chippy first round series. The six games between Denver and Golden State were filled with clutch shots, physical play, and some very hot 3-point shooting (courtesy of Stephen Curry). The Warriors ended up pulling off the upset against the third-seeded Denver squad who really emerged this season as one of the top teams in the league. But the Warriors came prepared and played as a team, and as a result, have moved on to the next round of the NBA Playoffs.

As for the Spurs, they are coming off of a very calm and serene first round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers.

First of all, Kobe Bryant didn’t play a single game due to his torn Achilles, and Steve Nash didn’t really play throughout the series either. Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard have had their struggles all season long, and when Andrew Goudelock is in your playoff starting lineup, you know you’re desperate.

That said, the Spurs had it pretty easy in the first round against the Lakers, but that won’t be the case in the Western Conference Semifinals.

San Antonio will be facing a Warriors team that has been red-hot as of late, and are led by sharpshooting point guard Stephen Curry, who is averaging 24.3 points per game and 9.3 assists per game, on top of his 2.2 steals per game this postseason.

Curry has emerged into stardom and there should be no denying it.

He’s hungry. He’s ready. He’s prepared.

All in all, the Warriors will face their biggest challenge in the postseason thus far Monday night in San Antonio. The second-seeded Spurs will look to end Golden State’s high-octane offense and their magical postseason run, but the Warriors will not go down without a fight.

With Curry leading the way, and guys like Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes stepping up, I believe that the Warriors will be able to steal Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup against the Spurs Monday night.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NBA, so both teams should come prepared for a bloodbath.

April 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl instructs against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 115-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Key Story:  The Battle of the Point Guards:

  Stephen Curry and Ty Lawson have been the two best players of the series, averaging 27.3 and 23.0 points per game respectively. The Nuggets have been committed to stopping Curry, but have not been successful. Lawson, meanwhile, has continually attacked the rim, scoring, kicking to shooters, and drawing fouls on Andrew Bogut.

Apart from the star point guard matchup, rebounding will be a determining factor. Denver had the highest offensive rebound percentage of any team in the league during the regular season, but has been out-rebounded by the Warriors in every game but Game 4.

Apr 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) guards Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second quarter during game two in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

X-Factor: The Nuggets Centers:

Both Kosta Koufos and Javale McGee have struggled throughout the series, and Karl has responded by limiting their playing time. The two centers have often appeared confused defending the pick and roll, and have struggled rebounding and scoring (stat). However, with the emergence of Andrew Bogut as a significant factor, Denver may be forced into playing their inconsistent centers.  If McGee or Koufos can limit the Warriors effectiveness at the rim, while playing respectable pick and roll defense, they may drastically shift the momentum of this series.

Apr 4, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) is helped off the court by center Timofey Mozgov (right) and forward Quincy Miller (left) after injuring his knee during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Injury Report:
Barring any timely miracles of modern science, Warriors’ all-star David Lee, and Nugget’s regular season leading scorer Danillo Gallanari will be out for Game 5 and the rest of the season, Lee with a torn hip flexor, and Gallanari with a torn ACL. After suffering an eye injury in Game 4, Stephen Curry is listed as probable, but barring a significant injury it is highly unlikely that he does not play.

Starting lineups:

Following Lee’s injury, Mark Jackson, as his counterpart George Karl so often has, ignored positional stereotypes, electing to play Harrison Barnes at power forward.  The Jarrett Jack, Curry, Thompson, Barnes, and Bogut starting lineup has an offensive rating of 119.4, and a defensive rating of only 94.6.

The Nuggets began the series starting Kosta Koufos at center, but in Game 4 started Lawson-Fournier-Iguodala-Chandler-Faried, likely believing with Chandler and Faried defending the Warriors’ screen-setters, they would better be able to pressure the Warriors’ pick and roll offense.

April 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson instructs against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 115-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

How the Warriors Can Win:

After four games, the Warriors appear to have a pretty effective formula for beating the Denver Nuggets.  They rely on Curry and Jack’s scoring and passing to create offense, attack in transition, and play aggressive defense.  Denver appeared resigned to defeat after Game 4, but may have renewed energy before their home crowd.  To beat the Nuggets, the Warriors will have to avoid any prolonged offensive or defensive struggles, as they have through most of the series, and prevent Denver from finding the offensive rhythm they have lacked throughout the series.

How the Nuggets Can Win:

With Koufos, McGee, and Faried struggling, Denver has failed to rebound consistently against the Warriors.  The Denver offense was supported by a high offensive rebounding rate, and an impressive transition attack, both of which have failed to consistently manifest themselves versus the Warriors.  If Denver can take advantage of the Warriors in transition, as many expected them to do before the series, and earn a few extra possessions, they should be able to prolong the series.