Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals gets underway on Sunday as the Oklahoma City Thunder travel south to Take on the San Antonio Spurs. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 pm start time and it will be televised live on ABC. Currently the odds have San Antonio favored by 5.5 points with the total sitting at 204.5 points for the contest.
Free Analysis: Both teams have dominated in the 2012 playoffs. The Thunder are 8-1 (5-3-1 ATS), winning by an average of 8.1 PPG. However, the Spurs are a perfect 8-0 (6-2 ATS) in the postseason, outscoring these foes by a whopping 13.8 PPG. The Thunder are an impressive 24-13 (21-15 ATS) in road games this season, averaging 100.0 PPG. Three-time scoring champion Durant and Westbrook have combined to average nearly 51 points in the postseason, giving the Thunder a lethal offensive combination that no team north of the Miami Heat can match. SF Kevin Durant scored 22.7 PPG (47% FG) against the Spurs this season, which was actually far below his league-high 28.0 PPG. PG Russell Westbrook put up 22.3 PPG and 5.7 APG against San Antonio this season. As good as they are, Oklahoma City's hopes may hinge on super sub James Harden, who averaged 16.8 points in the regular season and was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year. Harden shots lights-out in the season series with 19.3 PPG on 59.4% FG (41.7% threes). Big men Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins supply shot-blocking, rebounding and toughness, but both are limited offensively. San Antonio won two of the three meetings this season, and is 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) against Oklahoma City in the past three seasons. But the Spurs are a ridiculous 32-5 (27-8 ATS), outscoring visitors by an average score of 106 to 93. San Antonio averaged 105.7 PPG in the three meetings with Oklahoma City this season, despite not having SG Manu Ginobili for any of the games. However, Ginobili shot just 26.7% FG (24-for-90) in the previous two seasons against the Thunder, spanning seven meetings. However, PG Tony Parker and PF Tim Duncan have thoroughly enjoyed this matchup. Parker put up 23.7 PPG and 7.7 APG in the three meetings, while Duncan damaged Oklahoma City for 13.3 PPG and 13.7 RPG this season. Both Spurs stars are shining in the playoffs as well, with Parker averaging 19.1 PPG and 7.1 APG, and Duncan adding 17.6 PPG (54% FG) and 9.0 RPG. Since Diaw and Jackson both joined the Spurs, they are 28-2. San Antonio has not lost since April 11.
Free Pick: I like the over in game 1 here. Both teams will just come out with a faced paced game plan an that should lead to a ton of points. San Antonio has averaged 106 ppg at home and they put up 105.7 ppg vs the Thunder this year. Oklahoma City has averaged 102.7 ppg on the year, including 100 ppg on the road. The Thunder will try to speed up the pace with a younger lineup featuring their three high-scoring players.Both teams have played good defense this year, but In game 1 I expect the offenses to shine as both teams hit the century mark with ease in this one.
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NBA Free Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs - Game
What NBA bettors need to know about Thunder at Spurs Game 1 - Including a free best bet from Pregame.com's Scott Spreitzer & Vegas Runner!