Oklahoma City (0-0) at San Antonio (0-0)
When: Saturday, April 30th 2016
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Time: 8:35 ET | TV: TNT
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will square off in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinal series Saturday night. This is sure to be one heck of a series as both teams have aspirations of winning the NBA title. The Thunder cruised passed the Dallas Mavericks in five games with their four victories coming by an average of 23 points. Guard Russell Westbrook was in top form with five double-doubles – three points-assists and two points-rebounds – while averaging 26 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds. Kevin Durant averaged 26 points but his shooting was subpar at 36.8% from the field and 26.8% from 3-point range. Oklahoma City averaged 112 points in the series against the Mavericks – including 122.7 over the last three games. Backup center Enes Kanter was a little inconsistent with outings of 28 and 21 points against Dallas, but scored six or fewer points in two others. Oklahoma City defeated the Spurs in the 2012 playoffs to get to the NBA Finals.
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San Antonio had an even easier time in their first round series, dispatching the Memphis Grizzlies in four straight. San Antonio won its games against Memphis by an average of 22 points with three of the four victories occurring by more than 20 points. Kawhi Leonard averaged 21.5 points during San Antonio’s first-round sweep of Dallas and shot 52.7% from the field – including a torrid 61.1% from 3-point range – while contributing 2.8 blocked shots and 2.8 steals. Their other offensive weapon LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 14.5 against the Grizzlies. The Spurs have won six of the past seven meetings in San Antonio including both played at AT&T Center this season. The Spurs defeated the Thunder in six games in the 2014 Western Conference Finals.
I’m pretty sure San Antonio will win this series, but it won’t be easy. I think Westbrook continues to play well and keeps Oklahoma City in every game. 6.5 points seems like a lot to me. I’ll take it.
Pick: Thunder +6.5
