The Thunder and Spurs meet in one of the most highly anticipated NBA playoff matchups in recent history.
Oklahoma City enters as the more polished contender, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading a deep, versatile roster that’s looking to repeat as league champions.
San Antonio, meanwhile, arrives with Victor Wembanyama and a young roster well ahead of schedule.
The Spurs dominated the Thunder during the regular season, winning four of their five total contests, including three by double digits.
San Antonio is one of the few teams in the NBA that can match OKC’s combination of athleticism and size, boasting a deep rotation of guards and wings with Wembanyama looming in the paint.
Despite their success in the regular season against the defending champs, the Spurs are heavy +210 underdogs to upset the Thunder, who are -260 to get back to the NBA Finals at DraftKings Sportsbook.
This series should be closer than that.
The Spurs made relatively easy work of the Timberwolves, winning in six games, including a blowout in Game 6 on the road. That was also despite an early ejection for Wembanyama during a Game 4 loss.
Their young studs are playing their best basketball of the season.
Dylan Harper starred off the bench during the semifinal round, averaging 14.7 points per game on a ridiculous 56.9 percent shooting while providing excellent defense and rebounding.
Second-year guard Stephon Castle was arguably San Antonio’s best player in Game 6, scoring 32 points with 11 rebounds and six assists en route to the victory.
The Thunder have the championship experience, but this series has the makings of a much tighter battle than the odds suggest.
The play: Spurs to win the series (+210, DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
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