San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – 2014 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals, Game 3 – Betting Preview and Prediction

The San Antonio Spurs look untouchable right now. After walloping the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 to the tune of a 112-77 victory, the Spurs are now two wins away from reserving their seats in the NBA Finals. Will the Thunder show some fight in Game 3 in front of their massive home crowd? Or will the Spurs embarrass them again?

In our preview of this series, we predicted San Antonio would finish the Thunder in six games. Do you believe the Thunder can still win the series? Create a betting account now and bet on which team you think will prevail in Game 3.
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San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference Finals, Game 3 Betting Preview

Series Scores & Schedule

Game 1 – May 19, Oklahoma City 105 at San Antonio 122

Game 2 – May 21, Oklahoma City 77 at San Antonio 112

Game 3 – May 25, 8:30 PM ET, San Antonio (-2.0) at Oklahoma City (+2.0); total 208.0 – view all NBA lines

Game 4 – May 27, 9:00 PM ET, San Antonio at Oklahoma City

Game 5 (if necessary) – May 29, 9:00 PM ET, Oklahoma City at San Antonio

Game 6 (if necessary) – May 31, 8:30 PM ET, San Antonio at Oklahoma City

Game 7 (if necessary) – June 2, 9:00 PM ET, Oklahoma City at San Antonio

Betting on the San Antonio Spurs

Basketball looked so easy for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 that a role player like Danny Green (21 points) outscored the reigning NBA MVP, Kevin Durant. The Spurs will try to hammer down another nail in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s coffin in Game 3.

San Antonio is 7-1 SU and ATS in its last eight games.

[sc:NBA240banner ]The Spurs used an inside-outside attack that left Oklahoma City stunned from beginning to the end. The absence of Serge Ibaka remains a crippling problem for the Thunder, as the Spurs scored 54 points in the shaded area. San Antonio also drained nine triples, seven of which came from Green’s hot hand.

An interesting trend: the Spurs are 16-0 SU in games where Green knocks down at least four three-pointers.

By the look of things, the Spurs are doing everything right. They’re sharing the ball well (27.5 assists per game in this postseason) and taking full advantage of the Ibaka-sized hole in the OKC defense. With that in mind, their approach will be the same in Game 3 on offense. On defense, the Spurs’ focus remains on Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are headed home in search of something to buoy their spirits after being bludgeoned by San Antonio in Game 2. In two games thus far in the series, Oklahoma City has been beaten by an average of 26 points.

The Thunder are 7-0 SU and ATS in their last seven games at Chesapeake Energy Arena against San Antonio, but Ibaka played in those games.

The absence of Ibaka doesn’t give the Thunder an excuse to stop plugging away. Durant was conspicuously not himself in Game 2, scoring only 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting from the field. The MVP recoiled, pulled his punches, and simply went inside his shell in the second half, where he made just three baskets, albeit in limited minutes. Westbrook, on the other hand, jacked up 24 shots but made just 7 for 15 points.

Oklahoma City won’t advance to the NBA Finals with Durant and Westbrook firing blanks all over the court. They must find their confidence and shooting touch in Game 3.

Coach Scott Brooks might also consider going small and adding more firepower in the Thunder’s Game 3 starting lineup. Durant and Westbrook have 83 of the Thunder’s 92 points from starters in the first two games.

Writer’s Prediction

There’s no stopping the Spurs. After two big wins at home, Tim Duncan and crew will shred the Thunder anew in Game 3. San Antonio will win in double figures, easily covering -2 comfortably.
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