Spurs, Thunder Meet Monday In Conference Finals Rematch

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 12/17/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Oklahoma City -5, O/U 207½
(click for latest NBA odds)
Television: Local Networks

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs (19-6 straight-up, 16-8-1 against the spread) ended their first two-game losing streak this year on Saturday with a 103-88 win over Boston as 9-point home favorites. The losses were both away, 99-96 at Utah on Wednesday and 98-90 at Portland on Thursday. The "under" is 3-0 in San Antonio’s last three games, as scoring has really dipped compared to its season average of 104.8 points per game (ranked second in the NBA). The offense could be hurting on Monday as well with Manu Ginobili (leg) doubtful after getting hurt last game while forward Kawhi Leonard is still doubtful as well after missing the last 16 games with a knee injury (click to view updated NBA injury report). The Spurs have played very well overall on the road (11-4 SU, 10-5 ATS). They’ve only been an underdog one other time this season, losing 105-100 as 6-point ‘dogs at Miami on Nov. 29.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder (19-4 SU, 14-8-1 ATS) are the NBA’s top scoring team at 105.7 ppg. They’ve won 10 games in a row while averaging just under 110 ppg but are only 1-3 ATS so far during this five-game homestand with some large spreads. The team is 13-2 SU and 9-6 overall at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Kevin Durant (27.5 ppg) is up to fourth in the league in scoring after averaging 32.2 ppg in his last five. There is not great scoring depth though with the top four players accounting for 73.2 percent of team points. Coach Scott Brooks has been very lucky with injuries so far with all five starters not missing a game. These teams met very early this season (Nov. 1) with the Spurs winning 86-84 as 2-point home favorites. San Antonio had a poor showing (0-3 SU and ATS) at Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals last year. The "over" is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings overall in Oklahoma.

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