San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland
When: Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 10:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (+9) vs. Golden State Warriors (-9);total: 213.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
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Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (+9)
For the first time in 800 years, the Spurs will not have the now-retired Tim Duncan on their lineup. Without the Hall-of- Fame-bound Duncan, the Spurs will open the season on the road against Golden State later tonight.
Filling in Duncan’s shoes is offseason addition Pau Gasol, who averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game last season as part of the Chicago Bulls. Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge give San Antonio a decided size advantage inside opposite the Warriors. Last season, the Spurs averaged 43.6 points in the paint per game.
Kawhi Leonard is the glue that’ll keep the Spurs together, as he’s expected to perform at a high level on both ends of the court. Look for him to shift defensive assignments from Stephen Curry to Klay Thompson to Kevin Durant, as the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has the size and agility to keep in step with any of the Warriors’ gunners.
The Spurs are 5-5 SU and ATS in their last 10 games in Golden State.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (-9)
It’s time for the Warriors to unleash their new lineup that, on paper, looks ready to represent planet earth in an intergalactic basketball tournament. Joining the core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green is former league MVP, Kevin Durant, who will bring so much dynamism to the already scary Warriors offense.
Last season, the Warriors topped the league in scoring with 114.9 points per game. Their offensive efficiency then was also through the roof, packing 112.5 points per 100 possessions. Curry and Thompson provide so many headaches for opposing defenses adding Durant to the equation makes stopping Golden State’s offense almost an exercise of futility.
Durant also gives the Warriors immense versatility, especially when paired with Draymond Green. Both forwards an play multiple positions, which should pose matchup problems for the Spurs, who don’t have that many flexible players.
In his last season playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant averaged 28.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 5.0 APG, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. For those keeping count, that’s Durant’s fourth-straight season with at least 50.0 FG%.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State (-9) wins, 118-95.
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