The Oklahoma City Thunder prevented going down a 3-1 series hole with a masterful win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday to even things up. Which team will get the upper hand after tonight’s ball game? Read on for more about this matchup. You can also check out our breakdown of Game 6 between the Caps and the Pens.
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Thunder vs. Spurs Game Five Round Two Preview
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio
When: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 8:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (+7) vs. San Antonio Spurs (-7); total: 199.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant’s hands could still be feeling hot entering Game 5 and that is something the Thunder are counting on. Of course, Durant got help from his buddy Russell Westbrook, who stayed true to his word after OKC’s Game 3 loss by involving his teammates more the following contest. Westbrook shot a poor 5-for-18 for 14 points but dished out a 15 assists. With how Game 4 turned out for the Thunder, Westbrook might need to be more of a playmaker and less of a scorer and let the team ride on Durant’s hot hands moving forward. That being said, the Thunder are at their best when both and Durant and Westbrook are dialed up on offense.
The Thunder are also doing a fantastic job of controlling the glass. So far in the series, Oklahoma City is averaging 42.0 rebounds per game, while limiting the Spurs to only 37.8.
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games.
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
The public is expecting a major San Antonio rebound following its Sunday’s loss to the Thunder. At least that’s what the line movements for Game 5 suggest. The Spurs opened as 6.5-point home favorites but enough money flooded the side to push the spread up to seven points. San Antonio is 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games as the chalk.
As for the game itself, the Spurs are looking to recall how to win by passing the ball around. San Antonio is averaging 21.9 assists per game in the playoffs but only had 12 in Game 4. It would also help the Spurs if Danny Green could stop sucking. Green had 18 points in Game 1 but his performance has steadily submarined since. Green most recently embarrassed himself by going scoreless in 28 minutes of action in Game 4. He did have five boards and two steals though to salvage some pride.
Still, getting production from the Spurs peripheral pieces would go a long way in lessening the burden on LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard’ shoulders. Aldridge and Leonard had 20 and 21 points, respectively, in Game 4. Tony Parker chipped in 22 points, which could be a sign of good things to come in this series for the French playmaker.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio (-7) wins, 110-100.
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