The San Antonio Spurs for the last two decades have been the standard bearer for the rest of the NBA under head coach Gregg Popovich.

In fact, the Spurs have clinched a playoff berth in each of the last 20 seasons, which is the longest active streak across all four major U.S. sports and third all-time in NBA history for consecutive playoff appearances.

San Antonio, under Popovich, has been up against many of the league's best teams in the postseason over that span with their next challenge being the Golden State Warriors, who won 67 games in the regular season, after they swept through the first two rounds. In light of that, Popovich holds some valuable past success against 60-win teams in the playoffs.

On top of that, the Spurs have held the upper hand in their head-to-head meetings this year against the Warriors — winning two out of three contests with both coming in convincing fashion. Granted, the first was in the season opener, it does still provide more internal belief for them that they can upend the highly-favored Warriors.

However, Golden State is hitting their stride in the playoffs on both ends of the floor by leading the league with 114.4 points per game on 48.0 percent shooting while forcing opponent's to shoot 41.3 percent.

Reigning two-time league MVP Stephen Curry has been at the forefront of their offensive charge averaging 27.1 points on 46.9 percent shooting along with scoring more than 30 points three times.

Kevin Durant has also begun to look like he is finally past his knee injury averaging 23.3 points on 52.6 percent shooting from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. Not to mention, the Warriors will enter the Western Conference Finals a well-rested team after sweeping the Utah Jazz.

Although the deck may be stacked against the Spurs, which is a rarity to be describing them under Popovich, they will at least have the services of MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard despite dealing with an ankle injury. All in all, it should shape up to being another intense showdown between the two NBA powerhouses.