San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
May 9, 2016
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 10, 8:00 PM
Venue: AT&T Center (San Antonio, Texas)
Head to head record
Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs 111-97 (2015/2016 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs 96-100 (2015/2016 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 97-98 (2015/2016 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 124-92 (2015/2016 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder 102-98 (2015/2016 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction
San Antonio Spurs will be looking to take the lead in the NBA play-off tie against Oklahoma City Thunder when they welcome Billy Donovan’s troops at their AT&T Center on Tuesday evening. Thunder outclassed Spurs in game 4 and it remains to be seen if they are capable of upsetting Gregg Popovich’s team in Texas.
Difficult task
Even though many people expected that San Antonio Spurs would crush Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semis, Gregg Popovich’s men have been playing below expectations in the tie so far. San Antonio suffered a 111-97 loss to Oklahoma in game 4 and, as a result, the two teams are tied on wins ahead of Tuesday’s clash at AT&T Center. Spurs recorded 40 wins, while suffering only one loss at home in the regular season, but they were beaten by Oklahoma in their last home game in the 2016 NBA play-offs. Kawhi Leonard failed to impress in game 4, with the team’s key player shooting 7 of 19 and he is expected to shine in Tuesday’s game. France international Tony Parker scored 22 points in the 111-97 defeat to Thunder in the Chesapeake Energy Arena match and he will be yet another man to watch in the home team.
Coach Gregg Popovich has no fresh injury concerns ahead of game 5 and he is likely to count on all of his key players for Tuesday’s match against Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Kevin Durant effect
Oklahoma City suffered a 100-96 loss to San Antonio Spurs, but Billy Donovan’s men quickly bounce back from the defeat. Thunder outplayed Gregg Popovich’s team 111-97 in front of home fans on Sunday and their fresh confidence will be tested in game 5. Kevin Durant led the team to the victory last time out, with the team’s key player scoring 41 points on the night. Russell Westbrook added 15 assists in game 4 and, no doubt, the duo is likely to prove a handful for Spurs on Tuesday evening. However, beating San Antonio in Texas for the second consecutive time is easier said than done and the visitors certainly face an uphill task in the AT&T showdown. You should know that Oklahoma have recorded three wins in last four away games in the NBA play-offs.
The likes of Morrow, Singler and Mohammed did not play against San Antonio in game 4 and the trio is unlikely to play some part in Tuesday’s clash against Spurs.
Interesting Facts
- San Antonio Spurs conceded under 100 points in last eight home games
- Spurs scored over 100 points in seven of their last ten home matches
- Kevin Durant has been averaging 33.5 points in last two games
- Oklahoma conceded over 100 points in eight of their last nine away games
- San Antonio have been averaging 105.2 points in the 2016 NBA play-offs (home)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder betting pick
San Antonio were beaten by Oklahoma in their last home fixture in the Western conference semis and they can’t afford any complacency in game 5. I am positive that Gregg Popovich’s men will be at the top of their game this time out and considering that they are more of a team than Thunder, there is every chance the AT&T outfit will emerge triumphant in Tuesday’s clash against Billy Donovan’s team.
Pick: San Antonio -6.5
Odds: -105
