8. San Antonio Spurs
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 37-13
Postseason record: 15-2
Avg. scoring margin: +8.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +7.2
Finals result: Beat New York, 4-1 LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Tim Duncan, 21.7 ppg
Rebounds: Tim Duncan, 11.4 rpg
Assists: Avery Johnson, 7.4 apg
Coach: Gregg Popovich
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
A forgotten great team because of the lockout, the Spurs began the year 6-8 … and then went 46-7 the rest of the way, with nary a losing streak. An awesome defensive squad led by big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan,
San Antonio's 84.7 points allowed per game is far and away the least of any of these 66 squads. That
15-2 postseason mark ain't too shabby either,
including sweeps of the Blazers and Lakers. So stingy was the defense that only
twice in 17 playoff games did San Antonio's opponent muster 90 points.