Thanks to an epic performance from Russell Westbrook in Game 5, the Oklahoma City Thunder have inserted themselves in the driver’s seat and are just one win away from advancing into the Western Conference finals. They have a chance to finally do so, when the San Antonio Spurs come to town tonight for Game 6. Can OKC close out this thrilling series, or will the Spurs force a do-or-die Game 7?
Read on below for a better look at this matchup. And if you’re craving for some baseball action as well, check out our breakdown for the regular-season game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.
Spurs vs. Thunder Game 6 Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
When: Thursday, May 12, 2016, 8:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-1.5) at Oklahoma City Thunder (+1.5); total: 195.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio has been manhandled by OKC in this department. A proof of that was during Tuesday night’s loss, where the Thunder out-rebounded them, 54-36. Those extra possessions and second-chance points eventually became the Spurs’ undoing. That can’t be the case again, needless to say.
Moreover, the Spurs need better contributions out of Tony Parker. He can’t leave it all to Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to carry most of the scoring load. The veteran point guard from France has got to be very aggressive offensively, and make sure that Russell Westbrook spends some energy on defense at the same time. Parker is averaging 10.9 points and 5.6 assists this postseason.
It’s also worth noting that Danny Green’s resurgence could be a very good sign for the Spurs. The sharp-shooting forward hit six three-pointers and finished with a total of 20 points in Game 5. Green really has to show up again later.
On defense, meanwhile, the Spurs need to continue being physical with Westbrook and Kevin Durant. They’ve got to force them to pass the ball, take difficult shots, or better yet make somebody else create plays. If not, San Antonio’s obviously going to be in a lot of trouble if those two superstars get it going again.
The Spurs are 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
In case you still don’t know, Kevin Durant isn’t the only superstar in the Oklahoma City. There’s this electrifying point guard named Russell Westbrook, who has arguably been more dominant than Durant this season.
Westbrook reminded the Spurs about that in Game 5, as he filled up the stat sheet with 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine dimes. He also sealed the deal in that game through this huge and-one layup during the final few seconds of the fourth quarter. And thanks to him, the Thunder are now just one victory away from a best-of-seven series date with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, the Thunder still can’t afford to show any signs of complacency, as the Spurs are tough to beat at home or even on the road. That said, Durant and Westbrook have to continue pouring everything they’ve got in tonight’s Game 6.
Yes, those two should be able to get their points. But even so, OKC needs some production from its supporting cast in order to secure the win. This is precisely where the pair of Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters has to step in and cause some more problems for the San Antonio defense. Both are averaging 12.1 and 10.1 points, respectively, this postseason.
Also, things should fall into place for the Thunder as long as they control the glass. Throughout this series, OKC is gobbling up 44.4 rebounds per game, while holding the Spurs to just 37.4. If the rebounding game continues to favor Durant and co., don’t’ be shocked to see them beat San Antonio for the third-consecutive time.
OKC is 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
OKC (+1.5) wins it, 106-103.
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