Tim Duncan out for Spurs/Warriors Super Series Game One
Game One of the most highly anticipated season series in the NBA this year starts tonight as the 38-6 San Antonio
Spurs visit the 40-4 Golden State Warriors are the Oracle Arena in Oakland. By a scheduling quirk (or maybe not),
they teams are yet to meet yet this season but will square another three time including twice in the final week of the
NBA regular season. San Antonio, which has won 14 straight games, will be without PF Tim Duncan who will miss
at least this game with knee soreness. The Spurs top free agent acquisition from last summer, La Marcus Aldridge
is probable after missing the last game with back spasms. Check status. The current Vegas line at this writing is
Golden State -5 with the total set at 210 1/2.
The Spurs are the consummate team outfit with 11 players averaging at least 12 minutes of play a night. San Antonio’s
big three of Duncan, Tony Parker (12.7, 5.1) and Ginobli (10.3) are still around but the team has been slowly transitioning
into the “next generation” featuring Kawhi Leonard (20.0, 6.9, 2.6 and the defensive stopper) and Aldridge (15.9, 8.9).
Along with Golden State, this is the deepest team in the NBA with a top notch specialist available for whatever is needed.
The Warriors are led by reigning MVP Steph Curry (30.1, 5.4, 6.6) who is having and even bigger year this year despite
sitting fourth quarter in at least half of Golden State’s wins. Fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson (20.5) is another perimeter
shooting nightmare and Draymond Green (14.7, 9.5, 8.7) has established himself as one of the best all around players in
the game. Golden State features ten players playing at least 10 minutes a game including one the league’s top sixth men
in Andre Iguodala.
Despite Golden State’s record start, San Antonio finds itself just two back of the top seed in the Western Conference with
four head-to-heads yet to be played. The teams are 1-2 in the league in scoring with the Spurs on a record setting pace in
point differential and margin of victory. San Antonio has won eight of nine in the series and is 5-2 ATS in the last seven.
Golden State’s only win over that run was a 110-99 win here in San Antonio last game here in late February last year. Six
of the last eight games in the series have stayed under the total. Golden State has won 38 straight home games including
all 24 this year. The Spurs certainly have the stones and the people to win this game even with Tim Duncan out. In the end,
the game could come down to the Spurs ability to defend the perimeter and control their defensive board.