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Jeremy Perry
Spurs vs. Warriors: Game 2 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said his team looked like “deer in the headlights” in their Game 1 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs were blown out 113-92 in the series opener on Saturday night. His team will need to be much better on both ends of the floor if they are going to bounce back and even up the series on Monday night.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Golden State took three of the four meetings between these teams in the regular season and then carried over the momentum from the season series with a big win on their home floor on Saturday night. The Spurs were a good bounce back team this season, going 11-6 ATS and SU after a loss by 10 or more. The is that they are just 6-19 now as a dog this season.
As for the Warriors, they have covered 25 of their last 33 first-round games. However, they are just 5-16 ATS in their last 21 against teams with a winning record. Learn more about the NBA point spread here.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs managed just 17 points in the opening quarter of their 113-92 loss to Golden State in Game 1. That basically sealed their fate as the Warriors ended up leading wire-to-wire. The Spurs will need a better start simply to show that they can compete in this game and series.
San Antonio remains without its injured star Kawhi Leonard and on Sunday, it was reported that he’s out for the season. While that was basically known, hearing the news again is a kick to the gut of the team. There’s clearly a rift between Leonard and the team as he should be healthy enough to play.
That means the Spurs need more from LaMarcus Aldridge, who went just 5-of-12 from the field for 14 points in Game 1. Rudy Gay scored a team-high 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting and he’ll have to do more too.
Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant led the way for the Warriors with 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Klay Thompson found his scoring touch with 27 points on 11-of-13 from the field. With Durant and Thompson firing on all cylinders, Golden State will be tough to beat even without two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
The Warriors defense also played an integral role in their Game 1 win with the type of swarming defense that we hadn’t seen from them late in the season in large part due to injuries. After losing seven of 10 games last month, the Warriors quickly flipped the switch and looked like a championship contender again. As long as Durant, Thompson and Draymond Green stay hot, the Warriors will win and cover in Game 2.
