Even with their historic start, Stephen Curry and the Warriors can’t seem to shake the Spurs. Now, the defending champs finally get to face the team chasing them in the Western Conference in a much anticipated showdown between the NBA’s elite.
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NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu
Golden State Warriors -4.5
San Antonio Spurs +4.5
Over/Under 210
The Warriors are unbeatable at home, and with Tim Duncan ruled out, that’s not good if you’re a Spurs backer. However, the veteran Spurs aren’t easily rattled and their defense is the best in the game. San Antonio took two of three from the Warriors last season, including a victory at Oracle. The Spurs may not win this one, but taking the visitors and the points looks good.
SCHEDULING
San Antonio rolls into Golden State on the final leg of its three-game road trip having won 13 consecutive contests. The Spurs warmed up for this showdown by winning the first two games of the trip at Phoenix and the Lakers by a total of 41 points. San Antonio has won its last five on the road since losing to Houston on Christmas and is 4-1 ATS in that stretch, not bad considering they’ve faced some large spreads in that time. The Spurs are an underdog for just the second time this season. They were spotted four points at Oklahoma City in the season opener and dropped that game 112-106.
The Warriors will face a stiff test in an attempt to extend their 38-game regular season home winning streak that includes a 20-0 mark this season. Golden State took care of some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, dismantling Cleveland and Chicago to end a three-game road trip, and following that up with a 122-110 victory over Indiana on Friday.
INJURIES
Spurs center Tim Duncan will miss the highly-anticipated showdown with Golden State due to soreness in his right knee. While it will be a big loss for San Antonio, the spurs are 7-0 in games this season in which he’s missed. Also, LaMarcus Aldridge missed Friday’s game against the Lakers with back spasms, but he should be available on Monday night.
KEY MATCHUP
San Antonio’s league-leading defense will get a workout from the Warriors, and particularly Curry, who leads the NBA in scoring at 30.1 points per game and, moreover, has drained 204 three-pointers – 71 more than the next-highest total, posted by teammate Klay Thompson. Tony Parker’s defense will be under the microscope when the teams meet because the guard’s primary assignment will be Curry. Parker’s defense has been among the keys to San Antonio’s 38-6 record, the best start in the team’s storied history. Curry can also expect his share of Kawhi Leonard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. San Antonio’s focus will be on stopping Curry, and they likely will succeed since they’ve done it all year. Take the under on Curry’s point total in this one when he looks to become more of a distributor.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
San Antonio will be severely tested against the Warriors’ highest scoring offense, and Golden State’s bevy of sharp-shooters will be hounded by the Spurs’ top-ranked defense. It promises to be an entertaining matchup between the two best teams in the association and shouldn’t disappoint, even without Duncan anchoring down the middle for San Antonio. As crazy as it sounds, Duncan’s absence may work in the Spurs’ favor. They’ll have more of Leonard, Aldridge and David West on the floor, players who can better matchup with Golden State’s athletic group. Duncan is a force in the middle, but the Warriors adapt and conquer. Having more agility is a plus when trying to defend the Dubs and, let’s face it, Duncan has lost some of that over the last few years. San Antonio was one of two teams to win in Oracle last regular season and the veteran group won’t be intimidated by the noise. The Spurs also won’t be outcoached with the best in the business on their bench. But the home court edge is what propels the Dubs to a win in a close call.
Golden State 106, San Antonio 103
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