So much for the long break. The San Antonio Spurs were rested and all healed up, but could not get past DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. The Spurs remain in California to take on another powerhouse in the Golden State Warriors. Will the defending champions struggle to find their stroke? Read on as we break down this thrilling affair.
Another West clash is set to occur as the Rockets take on the Mavericks. You can check out the complete preview of that game here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: ORACLE Arena, Oakland
When: Friday, February 20, 10:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs had their moments in Los Angeles. Tim Duncan had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and Tony Parker had 21 points and 13 assists. But last year’s finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard went just 1-for-11 from the field, and missed all six three-point attempts as the Spurs fell 119-115 on the road to the Los Angeles Clippers.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Spurs were in a similar situation earlier on in the season. They came from Los Angeles on November 10 before entering as seven-and-a-half-point underdogs at Golden State the day after. San Antonio’s vets in Parker, Duncan and Manu Ginobili combined to score 54 of the Spurs’ 113 points as they handed Golden State its first home loss of the season on November 11.
Parker, in particular, has been a terror against Golden State. He’s averaged 21 points and six assists in the last four games he’s played against the Warriors, including scoring 28 in the first matchup this season.
Leonard has done his own terrorizing on the defensive end. He has an average of 2.2 steals in his last five against Golden State. Golden State has allowed 8.7 steals per game this season, 27th in the league.
The Spurs are 5-1 SU/ATS in their last six games at Golden State.
Think the defending NBA champs have what it takes against the hottest team in the league? Create a betting account now and get in on this fiery matchup.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Blowing teams out as the best team in the league definitely takes its toll as the Golden State Warrios have found out after their first 51 games of the season. They average a league-best 110.6 points per game this season, but were held to an average of 96.3 points in the three games prior to the All-Star break.
The Splash Brothers struggled from the field against Minnesota on February 11. Stephen Curry missed 8-of-10 three-pointers, while Klay Thompson shot 5-of-14 across the floor. Curry may continue to struggle considering their shooting woes against the Spurs. He has shot 39 percent in the last three games he’s played against the Spurs, while making just 2-of-15 three-point attempts.
Thompson has picked up Curry’s slack, hitting 11-of-24 in his last five against the defending champions. He should be able to gain some steam from downtown after San Antonio allowed the Clippers to make 8-of-19 three-pointers, including five in the third quarter alone, on Thursday night.
Golden State may have more success against the Spurs this time around with some added offense in the paint. The Warriors have scored 45.3 points in the paint in their last three games. Andrew Bogut has averaged seven points over those games, while Marreese Speights has averaged 9.3. Speights led the Golden State bench with 11 points in the first matchup against the Spurs as Bogut’s primary replacement.
The total has gone over in five of the Warriors’ last six games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors win, but San Antonio covers.
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