Well, at least I think they have a decent chance to. I'm going to play about a third of my Miami winnings on this.
San Antonio +3.5. About 75% of the money is on OKC with very little line movement. Obviously, the majority of bettors are playing the home court angle, and who can blame them? It's been a cash cow recently. But I don't see a blowout coming here by OKC. I see a tight game that could go either way, but I'm leaning SA for a few reasons.
1) Three blowouts at SA have exposed some glaring weaknesses of the Thunder. Even Ibaka can't overcome them. He doesn't get the ball enough to make much difference offensively. And defensively, Pops will again think of ways to get him out of the paint or at least in foul trouble.
2) I have a feeling we won't see Pops resting his players as in the other games. I think the Spurs are a veteran team, that is well coached, and have won plenty of games on the road vs. very good teams- in big games. I know they have had problems winning in OKC, but I feel they are the better TEAM. As like Miami, they play the game more as a unit that sticks to a game plan, to adjustments, and depend on each other, that they prevail in games like this.
3) I'm biased to towards great passing teams. If you saw the Miami- Pacers game, you saw some very good passing too by the Heat. They are not just LeBRon, Wade and one on one basketball. In transition and in other situations, they move the ball well. OKC, not so much. SA has more open shots because of it. OKC, more forced shots.
4) Possibly the Thunder already think they should have game 6 in the bag. They have usually won at home vs. SA, they have won both games at home fairly easily(although the Spurs resting players prematurely has helped their victory margin). Maybe they'll have a touch of game 7 look ahead disease? Maybe not. Either way, the Spurs, I think will play this differently than the first 2 games in OKC.
5) I still think that SA bench is key. I really like how they play as if they're starters, as if they are just as integral as the starters, and do NOT just play to maintain- but play for excellence.
6) Finally, I know that Westbrook is one of the best point guards in the NBA, but I'm not a fan. If the Spurs can concentrate on throwing his game off a bit, he can shoot crazy and turn the ball over. Then gets snippy or selfish with the ball.
* What the hell.. 9-2 in the playoffs and I'll risk a little more here.
San Antonio +3.5. About 75% of the money is on OKC with very little line movement. Obviously, the majority of bettors are playing the home court angle, and who can blame them? It's been a cash cow recently. But I don't see a blowout coming here by OKC. I see a tight game that could go either way, but I'm leaning SA for a few reasons.
1) Three blowouts at SA have exposed some glaring weaknesses of the Thunder. Even Ibaka can't overcome them. He doesn't get the ball enough to make much difference offensively. And defensively, Pops will again think of ways to get him out of the paint or at least in foul trouble.
2) I have a feeling we won't see Pops resting his players as in the other games. I think the Spurs are a veteran team, that is well coached, and have won plenty of games on the road vs. very good teams- in big games. I know they have had problems winning in OKC, but I feel they are the better TEAM. As like Miami, they play the game more as a unit that sticks to a game plan, to adjustments, and depend on each other, that they prevail in games like this.
3) I'm biased to towards great passing teams. If you saw the Miami- Pacers game, you saw some very good passing too by the Heat. They are not just LeBRon, Wade and one on one basketball. In transition and in other situations, they move the ball well. OKC, not so much. SA has more open shots because of it. OKC, more forced shots.
4) Possibly the Thunder already think they should have game 6 in the bag. They have usually won at home vs. SA, they have won both games at home fairly easily(although the Spurs resting players prematurely has helped their victory margin). Maybe they'll have a touch of game 7 look ahead disease? Maybe not. Either way, the Spurs, I think will play this differently than the first 2 games in OKC.
5) I still think that SA bench is key. I really like how they play as if they're starters, as if they are just as integral as the starters, and do NOT just play to maintain- but play for excellence.
6) Finally, I know that Westbrook is one of the best point guards in the NBA, but I'm not a fan. If the Spurs can concentrate on throwing his game off a bit, he can shoot crazy and turn the ball over. Then gets snippy or selfish with the ball.
* What the hell.. 9-2 in the playoffs and I'll risk a little more here.
