NBA Wednesday Night Game: San Antonio Spurs @ Warriors Preview

Two Western Conference heavyweights face off in a battle of playoff teams as the Spurs meet the Warriors in Oakland.

The Spurs lead the all time series 108-60, but Golden State has won 7 of the last 10 matchups head to head.

The Spurs lost their last game 127-112 on Monday at Sacramento. Last Thursday (1/31) they beat the Nets 117-114 at home, and on Saturday (2/2) they beat the Pelicans at home 113-108.

The Warriors won their last game 115-101 at home against the Warriors on Saturday. Last Monday (1/28) they beat the Pacers 132-100 on the road, and on Thursday (1/31) they lost to the 76ers 113-104 at home.

On the season, the Spurs are 31-24 ATS, 13-13 ATS on the road, and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, the Warriors are 23-28-1 ATS, 10-15-1 ATS at home, and 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games.

Intertops has the Warriors as 11 point favourites with an O/U total of 234.

San Antonio Spurs

(32-23 overall, 10-16 on the road, 7-3 in last 10)

The Spurs average 112.6 PPG, 44.5 RPG, 9.4 ORPG, 24.9 APG, 4.5 BPG, 6.2 SPG, and 12.4 TPG. As a team they shoot 48.0% from the field, 82.1% from the free throw line, and 40.5% from 3 point range. Defensively they allow 110.4 PPG, 43.6 RPG, 46.5% shooting from the field, and 35.9% shooting from 3 point range.

They are led by the duo of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. DeRozan averages 21.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.5 BPG while shooting 46.4% from the field, 82% from the free throw line, and 17.1% from 3 point range. LaMarcus Aldridge averages 21.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.5 SPG and 1.2 BPG while shooting 51.5/85.5/19.0. Rudy Gay supplements them with 14.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG and 41.1% shooting from 3. Bryn Forbes (12.1 PPG/2.2 APG/42.0% from 3), Marco Belinelli (11.0 PPG/2.0 APG/39.1% from 3), Patty Mills (9.7 PPG/2.9 APG/39.7% from 3) and Davis Bertans (8.1 PPG/3.5 RPG/47.2% from 3) are big contributors as well.

Key Injuries

G Derrick White (heel) – out

Golden State Warriors

(37-15 overall, 19-7 at home, 9-1 in last 10)

The Warriors average 118.7 PPG, 46.5 RPG, 10.0 ORPG, 29.3 APG, 6.4 BPG, 7.4 SPG, and 14.1 TPG. As a team they shoot 49.0% from the field, 82.1% from the free throw line, and 38.6% from 3 point range. Defensively they allow 111.6 PPG, 43.5 RPG, 44.8% shooting from the field, and 34.9% shooting from 3 point range.

Stephen Curry leads the way with 29.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.1 SPG while shooting 49.3% from the field, 92.3% from the free throw line, and 45.1% from 3 point range. Kevin Durant is the best #2 in the league, averaging 27.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.8 SPG and 1.1 BPG while shooting 50.5/90.8/36.6. Klay Thompson chips in 21.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG and 38.2% shooting from 3. DeMarcus Cousins (14.4 PPG/7.3 RPG/4.0 APG/1.0 SPG/0.9 BPG/38.9% from 3), Quinn Cook (7.3 PPG/1.7 APG/39.8% from 3), Draymond Green (6.9 PPG/7.8 RPG/7.4 APG/1.6 SPG/1.0 BPG) and Kevon Looney (6.9 PPG/6.0 RPG/0.9 BPG) are big contributors as well.

Key Injuries

C Damian Jones (chest) – out

Predictions

The Warriors have been dominating as of late, but the Spurs are no slouches. San Antonio is extremely efficient offensively, shooting a blistering 40.5% from 3. However, they don’t live and die by the 3 as most teams in the NBA do nowadays. Their 2 leading scorers (DeRozan and Aldridge) attempt just 1.2 three point attempts per game combined. They don’t care whether it’s a 2 or a 3, as long as it’s a good shot, and the way you beat the Warriors is to make them work defensively and limit their possessions. While the Warriors will put up points outside the arc, San Antonio’s defense is disciplined and versatile, with enough big bodies to handle Durant and Cousins in the paint. Their sound defense and efficient offense is a recipe for success against the high flying Warriors, and they should cover a double digit spread here.

Final Pick: San Antonio Spurs (+11)