By now it is no secret that the Spurs rely on their reserves... a lot. 

Throughout the course of the regular season and in the opening round against the Jazz, the Spurs' bench played an integral role in the team's success.  This was never more apparent than in Game 4 at Salt lake City, as the Spurs' bench outscored Utah's 57-10, the most bench points ever scored by a Spurs team in the postseason. 

The opponent in the western conference semifinals also knows how to go deep.  The LA Clippers' second unit may have been the difference in their first round seven game triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.  Point guard Eric Bledsoe, shooting guard Mo Williams, (who can also run the point) smalll forward Nick Young, and bigs Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans all had shining moments in the opening round. 

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has a great deal of respect for the Clippers reserves.  "They are physical, push the pace, and play good defense.  They have been important all year and will be in this series", says Pop, who also knows Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro very well, having coached him in the late '90s. 

With a back to back coming up in games 3 and 4 at Staples Center, the second units for each club and the production they provide may be even more apparent.

It's hard to believe but when the compressed 66 game regular season schedule began back in late December, the Spurs were not a good road team. Like many teams around the NBA, the accelerated training camp and preseason was not conducive to early road success for the Silver and Black.

The Spurs lost their first five road games and eight of their first ten away from the friendly confines of the AT&T Center.  The Spurs lost to non-playoff teams like Minnesota (twice) and Milwaukee.

It was a road loss at Dallas in overtime that may have been the spark for future road success and given a huge boost of confidence to the Spurs' ultra successful bench. The Spurs second unit that evening was responsible for getting the Spurs a late fourth quarter lead after the Mavs led by 17 late in the 3rd quarter.

Even though Dallas won that game, the next night the Spurs won a physical battle at Memphis.

It was the start of an eleven game winning streak, with eight of those wins coming on the road. The Spurs were on their way to a 22-11 road record during the regular season. The Spurs were victorious in  20 of their last 23 road games in the regular season,  showing grit, teamwork and poise.

A constantly improving bench had a lot to do with it.  The Spurs had developed a quiet confidence as their roster got bolstered with the addition of Boris Diaw, Patty Mills and Stephen Jackson.  The Spurs went on the road and captured their first two road playoff games.

Chemistry, experience and a sharp focus have all been important factors in the Spurs' dazzling performance wearing the road black uniforms this season.  Those ingredients will come in handy as the Spurs advance to Western Conference semifinals. 

While many of my fellow Spurs radio and television broadcasters were hoping for a first round matchup with Phoenix, I had my reasons to pull for Utah to earn the 8th seed and oppose the Spurs in the opening round. 

My statistician in Salt Lake City is the best one I've had on the road in the NBA.  It's uncanny the way he knows what I need and when I need it.  It's like he has been listening to me do games his whole life.  Well actually, he has. 

Eric Schoening is a 28 year old meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City.  With his degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, he began his career in forecasting in Salt Lake in early 2007. 

Through the years, Eric has provided a helping hand for me in the booth.  At the ripe age of 14, he began serving as my main spotter during Longhorn football broadcasts.  He was very adept at singling out tacklers and seeing penalty flags. 

As football play by play guys get older, they rely more and more on their spotters to be another set of eyes on the field.  He has been my stats guy in Seattle (when he was in college) and Salt Lake ever since.  

Basketball statistics to a weather forecaster is pretty simple stuff, but Eric enjoys it.  He gets me the info accurately and on time.   He has a very thorough knowledge of the game and that is helpful too. He should be good at math.  His wife Anna just completed her doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Utah.  Here's hoping that Eric gives me lots of good Spurs numbers over the next two games in Salt Lake City.