The Thunder won a spirited series against the Clippers. They are definitely one of the top teams in the West but this group has yet to reach the very top of the mountain. [ad-4468020]<\/p>\n
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
\nMonday May 19
\nAT&T Center – San Antonio, TX
\n9:00PM
\nMoneyline: San Antonio -200, Oklahoma City +240
\nSpread: San Antonio -5.5
\nTotal: 208.5
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Oklahoma City<\/h3>\n
As exciting as beating L.A. was this is the series that they wanted because if you become champs without beating the top team in the conference it is missing a little something. <\/p>\n
During the regular season Oklahoma City dominated the Spurs winning all 4 games, covering each time too.<\/p>\n
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Kevin Durant is leading all playoffs scorers and Russell Westbrook is 4th. Between the two of them they average more than half of the Thunder\u2019s 104.5ppg so you can bet they will get lots of attention from San Antonio. <\/p>\n
In the playoffs Serge Ibaka has seen his production come down a bit but he will play an important defensive role against Tim Duncan. He is making 61% of his shots so really the lack of scoring has been more about opportunity than efficiency.<\/p>\n
OKC is a good team and one that has had no problem with San Antonio this season so it seems like a no-brainer to back them in the opener as an underdog.
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\nDurant is a fantastic closer and it looks like the Thunder are primed to get back to the Finals. They covered in all situations against the Spurs over their 4 victories against the Spurs this season.<\/p>\nSan Antonio<\/h3>\n
After a strong regular season the Spurs were pushed hard in their playoff opener aainst Dallas not nearly as much in their elimination of Portland. <\/p>\n
The Spurs and Thunder are the top 2 seeds in the West but you could argue that the Spurs are the underdogs given that they have not beaten OKC all season long which historically does not portend to playoff success. <\/p>\n
Still, it might feel odd to count them out prematurely.<\/p>\n
In last year’s playoffs it was the Spurs’ young guns that were leading the way but this year it is the old dogs, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. <\/p>\n
San Antonio has not been spreading the wealth the way they did during the regular season but they are getting contribution from the likes of Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and even Patty Mills. <\/p>\n
As compared to other team the best advantage SA might have right now is that none of their players has been pushed to the limit in terms of minutes.<\/p>\n
Free NBA Playoff Pick<\/h3>\n
My gut is telling me that San Antonio is the series play but I think they are not high value as favourites in the opener. This one should be close, likely coming down to the final possession for one team or another. <\/p>\n
The fact that it is in San Antonio will be a non factor as their supporters rarely influence outcomes the way that some others do.<\/p>\n
Spread prediction: Oklahoma City +5.5
\nTotal prediction: Over
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