The red-hot San Antonio Spurs will face a tough test when they host the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. There is a good chance that these two teams could meet up at some point in the Western Conference Playoffs, and there is a ton of familiarity. San Antonio will try to slow this game down, while Golden State is going to push the tempo.
San Antonio has won eight straight games, and are climbing up the standings in the Western Conference. The Spurs bring a 41-29 record into this game and trail the Houston Rockets by just 2.5 games in the Southwest Division. Golden State has won two straight games and continue to have the best record in the Western Conference at 47-21. The Warriors are 2.5 point favorites over San Antonio in this game.
Spurs Defense Getting Job Done
The San Antonio Spurs don’t have one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA, and they have to win games on defense. The Spurs are allowing 110.4 points per game this season, but they have played much better on this recent win streak. San Antonio held Golden State to just 92 points in their win earlier this season but got torched for 141 in the loss. The biggest key to this game will be on how well the Spurs can defend.
DeMar DeRozan was brought to San Antonio to improve the offense, and he has played well all season long. DeRozan leads the Spurs with 21.6 points per game this season and is shooting close to 48 percent from the floor. Center LaMarcus Aldridge is a double-double machine, averaging 21.2 points and 8.9 rebounds this season. The Spurs don’t have a ton of weapons, but DeRozan and Aldridge are both NBA stars.
Warriors Offense Still Elite
The Golden State Warriors offense just keeps getting better, especially with the addition of DeMarcus Cousins. The Warriors are averaging 117.9 points per game this season, which is the best in the league. Cousins has poured in 15.6 points per night since his arrival and gives the Warriors a real low post threat. Golden State is going to have speed this game up if they are going to score on the Spurs defense.
Point guard Stephen Curry is having one of the best years of his career, leading the Warriors with 27.9 points per game. Curry just continues to amaze with his shooting and is making 43 percent of his shots from deep. Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant have combined to pour in more than 49 points per game this season, and also have the ability to stretch the defense. There is a reason that the Warriors have the best record in the Western Conference.
Warriors Offense Too Good
The San Antonio Spurs have been playing great of late, but their defense hasn’t seen an offense like this. San Antonio will try to slow this game down, but at some point are going to have to score on their own. The Warriors are almost impossible to stop, and they should put up a ton of points in this game. Bet the Golden State Warriors -2.5 over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
