Prior to April 10 San Antonio’s prospects for playoff success were dim. Sure, the Spurs would make it but a long run was improbable. But on that fateful day Stephen Curry’s knee went out. Defending champion NBA champion Golden State has been rather ordinary ever since. The door is now open for San Antonio. NBA games betting odds are now not so daunting for coach Gregg Popovich’s Spurs. And there was one championship element to his team all year. No other team played better defense this season. With Curry out that defensive ability is even more magnified.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
Date and Time: Monday, April 16, 2018, 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, California
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spurs | +9½ (-110) | 205½ (-110) |  |
| Warriors | -9½ (-110) | 205½ (-110) | |
| |||
Spurs vs. Warriors TV Coverage: TNT
Game 1
At least for game one Golden State was in championship form. Despite missing Curry, the Warriors covered with ease 113-92. Guard Klay Thompson led with 27 points. Forward Kevin Durant added 24. After game two this best of seven series heads to San Antonio. Games three and four will be on the Spurs home court.
Golden State
Golden State was already a poor wagering value with Curry in the lineup. It has only worsened since his being sidelined. NBA games betting fans got paid in just three of the Warriors last ten games. Oracle Arena failed to provide a home court advantage vs. the line. Just 16 covers in 41 games at home caused a flood of red ink. Offensively the Warriors were the highest scoring team in the regular season. However much of that ranking was built with Curry. Defensively the defending champs ranked a subpar 18th in the Association.
No Curry, No Problem
In Curry’s absence the offensive burden now falls upon Kevin Durant. And the nine-time NBA All Star is certainly up to the task. Durant was NBA Most Valuable Player in 2014. He was NBA Finals Most Valuable Player last year. While with Oklahoma City he was four-time NBA scoring champion. Equal to Curry was his 26.4 points per game this season. LaMarcus Aldridge is the one bona fide offensive threat on San Antonio. Aldridge averaged 23 points and nine rebounds per game. Problematic for the Spurs is weak secondary scoring.
San Antonio
Nobody is going to say that San Antonio wins with style. Instead success comes with grit and determination. Not to mention smarts. Popovich is perhaps the premier coach in the NBA. A top ranked defense is indicative of maximizing effort every game. Motivational skills are not lacking with the Spurs.
Golden State
Golden State has five online sportsbook payouts in their last seven meetings with San Antonio. Three of the last five in this series went under the total. At Golden State the Spurs have covered three of their last five. Over the total hit in five of the last six in this series at ORACLE.
Matchup to Watch
Even without Curry the Warriors hold far better cards offensively. The Spurs defense failed miserably in game one. Expect a far better effort for game two. San Antonio remains a potentially live NBA games betting odds dog. Seems like it’s not likely they’ll be as bad in this rematch. Game one is not indicative of their ability. Motivation is their matchup edge.
Spurs vs. Warriors NBA games Betting Odds Picks
San Antonio should fight back with gusto and get the cash.
NBA Betting Online Pick: San Antonio Spurs
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Spurs 103. Warriors 102
Check out game one highlights of the Spurs and Warriors.