NBA Basketball
2013-05-16 - San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Play Offs
Thursday 16 May 2013 - Tip Off 10:30pm
3:30am (British Time)
Preview
Every day, the Golden State Warriors are learning more about themselves on this special journey to the Western Conference Semi Finals and they won't want that to end in front of their raucous home support. They are facing this elimination game against the experience San Antonio Spurs that will be desperate to record a 4-2 series win without the need to return to Texas to compete in a Game 7 winner takes all contest.
There are some suggestions that the Warriors are beginning to slow down as injuries and a long season take their toll. Stephen Curry is definitely limited by the ankle injury he suffered against the Denver Nuggets and once again earlier in this series and that has allowed the Spurs to focus on stopping Klay Thompson after his barrage of three pointers in Game 2.
While the Warriors say they are unworried about the deficit facing them and that they are excited about Game 6, they are playing against some history now. Teams that have broken a 2-2 tie in Game 5 have gone on to win the series 88 out of 90 times, while the Spurs are 11-1 when leading 3-2 in a best of seven series.
Golden State are looking to use the siege mentality that has taken them so far in the Play Offs already, although they are not facing a team that is likely to take a night off through complacency.
San Antonio are beginning to get scores from the likes of Danny Green to ease the pressure on Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, and they have kept Andrew Bogut from having a defensive effect on the game by getting him into early foul trouble. Adjustments on the defensive side of the court have also meant the Spurs are troubling the Warriors' shooters more than they did early in the series.
Head to Head
San Antonio now lead the season series 5-4 and are one game away from returning to the Western Conference Finals.
However, the Golden State Warriors are 3-1 in their home games against the Spurs this season.
Prediction
A lot of people may think the Golden State Warriors are done after the largest deficit between these teams in Game 5, but I have a feeling this is going the distance.
There are some big trends that suggest the Warriors are the right pick in this game and I think they can be inspired by a loud crowd to get over any tiredness they are feeling and force this game back to Texas for a winner take all game on Sunday.
The Pick :
Golden State Warriors 96-92 San Antonio Spurs
