NBA Handicapping Predictions – Spurs vs Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs dominated Game Two to take a 2-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA Basketball Matchup: #1 San Antonio Spurs (2-0) vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder (0-2)
Western Conference Finals
Date/Time: May 31, 9:00 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Thunder -3.5
Over/Under: 206
Still, the Spurs have only held serve so far in this series, and now the Thunder have a chance to play in front of a raucous home crowd.
This is a must win game for Oklahoma City. Can they pull it off?
San Antonio has now won an amazing 20 straight games. The Spurs haven’t lost since early April, which is quite a feat since it is almost June. This is the quintessential team, and that makes them a lot of fun to watch. Tim Duncan certainly isn’t what he used to be, but he is still an amazing anchor down low for this team.
Manu Ginobili didn’t put up big numbers in the regular season, but he has been amazing in this series so far. Tony Parker had a career game in Game Two. Parker finished 16 for 21 from the floor for 34 points. He also had eight assists. The Spurs are a team that pushes the tempo and uses tremendous depth to come at the opponent in waves. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Can this veteran team be slowed down?
Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook combined to score 88 points in Game Two. The fact that those three had a huge performance and the team still lost by nine has to be a little discouraging for the team.
Clearly, Oklahoma City must play better on the defensive end if they are going to beat the Spurs. San Antonio shot 55% in the Game Two win, and Tony Parker got all the shots he wanted. Russell Westbrook has taken 45 shots in the first two games.
The Thunder would probably like to see Durant and Harden get a few more shots in Game Three. In addition, the bench players for Oklahoma City really need to make a contribution. Guys like Daequan Cook and Nick Collison must come in and give the team some good minutes.
Oklahoma City’s fans are as rowdy as any in the league, and they’ll help a great deal. The Thunder know they simply cannot afford to lose this game. I like the Thunder to squeak out a win, but 3.5 points is too much to lay.
Instead, look toward the over since the pace should be quick all the way.
Free NBA Pick: Over 206
One reply on “San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Preview & Free Pick”
I think OKC can pull this one off. They’re at home and they are just too talented to go down 3-0. They’ll find a way late.