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The shorthanded Spurs will attempt to end a three game losing strak as they return from a long Eastern Conference road trip, but facing a resurgent Warriors team might not be the best opportunity for the Spurs to get back on track.
San Antonio (4-3, 2-0 home) started the season very well with 4 straight wins despite playing their best player Kawhi Leonard, as well as starting PG Tony Parker. However, missing these two guys eventually caught up with the Spurs, as they went on to lose their next three games against Washington, Detroit and Indiana, all on the road.
The Warriors (5-3, 3-1 away) weren`t quite at their best in the first seven games of the season, having some blips in concentration during games and losing matches they should have won. However, Golden State had their best performance of the early season two nights ago in LA, demolishing a solid Clippers side 141-113 and showing why they are the defending Champs and the best team in the NBA.
Bet on Spurs vs. Warriors and claim your 100% (100 Euro) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: The Spurs continue to miss Leonard and Parker, as well as backup center Lauvergne. Golden State is expected to be at full strength, with no injuries or suspensions.
Lack of focus has been the main problem for Golden State early in the season, as they sometimes found it hard to motivate themselves and had lapses in concentration, rounding up turnovers, or lacking effort for minutes at a time on the defensive end.
However, that shouldn`t be an issue against San Antonio, just like it wasn`t two nights ago against the Clippers. Even with Kawhi out, this is a big game with possible implication in the fight for the Western Conference Top seeding, even if it`s still very early in the season.
The Spurs are definitely a dangerous team even without their best players, as Popovich is the best coach in the NBA and he can make anybody play at a high level in this system. Nevertheless, Parker and especially Kawhi being out are big blows, and we saw Spurs struggling big time without them in the last three matches after the good start.
The two teams met in last season`s Western Conference finals a few months ago and, after Kawhi went down with an injury, the Warriors utterly dominated the Spurs. They ended Game 1 with a 58-35 run and won the next three by 36, 12 and 14 points (last two in San Antonio).
Golden State will turn up for this one, so expect full focus and intensity. This is the kind of match in which the Dubs play at their best and cover the spread, so I expect them to do just that – especially as the point spread line isn`t scary at all at just 6.5 points. I recommend buying half a point for extra safety (and take the -6) while it`s still possible, as the line is going up.
If nothing out of the ordinary happens, the Warriors should have way too much for this shorthanded Spurs side and win by about 10+ points. My tip is Golden State Warriors to cover the 6 point (asian) handicap. Prediction: San Antonio Spurs – Golden State Warriors 102 – 116.
Pick: Warriors -6
Odds: 1.82 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 7.38
Event date: 2 November
