San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors: NBA Playoff Pick, 4–16–2018
Free NBA Spread Pick by Austin Clark of Precision Picks
San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors
Line: Warriors -9.5, 205.5
Game Time: Monday, April 16th, 10:30 PM EST
The Golden State Warriors will host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of this Western Conference Playoff series. The Warriors took Game 1, winning 113–92 and covering the -8 point spread as home favorites. Tonight, Vegas odds list the Warriors as -9.5 point home favorites with the Total set at 205.5.
The Spurs will need to find a way to steal Game 2 before heading home for Game 3. San Antonio had trouble with the Warriors intensity and length. LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been so reliable all year long, was completely held in check by the relentless Golden State defensive pressure as he was limited to just 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 24 minutes. San Antonio had no presence on the glass as they were outrebounded 51–30 in Game 2.
Golden State dropped 10 of its last 17 games in the regular season and struggled on defense but tightened things up in Game 1 to hold the Spurs to 17 first-quarter points. The Warriors are full of veterans that can flip the switch during the Playoffs. The Warriors dictated the fast tempo and amplified their defensive intensity in Game 1 and they will need the same level of intensity to go up two games. Klay Thompson led the team with 27 points followed by Kevin Durant who dropped 24 points in the win.
The Spurs don’t have many answers to defend this Warriors team or to keep pace offensively. San Antonio is 0–8 ATS the last 8 road games and the Spurs are just 2–6 ATS the last 8 meetings vs Golden State. The Warriors are 24–7 ATS in their last 31 Conference Quarterfinals games and the favorite is 7–1 ATS the last 8 meetings between these two teams.
I see Game 2 ending much like Game 1 with the Warriors covering the -9.5 point spread. Without Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have limited offensive and defensive leaders that can step up and keep pace with the Warriors. I’ll lay the large chalk with the Warriors at home.
Spurs vs Warriors Pick: Warriors -9.5
