The Thunder will look to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole tonight when they host the Spurs for the first time in the Western Conference Finals. Game 3 is scheduled for a 9:00pm ET start time at the Chesapeake Energy Arena; it will be broadcast live on TNT. The latest NBA Odds have Oklahoma City listed as a -3.5 against the spread home favorite and the game total set at 205 points. San Antonio is a +155 moneyline play to pull off the mild upset.
San Antonio took a 2-0 series lead and extended its win streak to 20 games on Tuesday night, thumping the Thunder 120-111 at the AT&T Center. Oklahoma City’s defense proved ineffective on several fronts, but most of the team’s struggles centered on Spurs guard Tony Parker.
Parker turned in a masterful 34 point, eight assist effort in leading his team to victory, but he was not alone as San Antonio shot 55.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc in earning the nine point win. Kawhi Leonard posted an 18 point, 10 rebound double-double and Tim Duncan also reached double figures in two stat categories, finishing the game with 11 points (2-of-11 FG) and 12 boards. Duncan tallied six assists and four blocks as well.
San Antonio’s bench did not produce much in the way of rebounds or assists, but Manu Ginobili did come up big in 26 reserve minutes. The Argentina native hit six of his 11 field goal attempts and knocked down 7-of-8 from the foul to finish with 20 points.
Oklahoma City was hot from the outside, connecting on 8-of-17 from long range, but the Thunder shot just 42 percent for the game. Kevin Durant and James Harden scored 31 and 30 points, respectively, for OKC while Russell Westbrook added 27 points and eight assists.
Tonight should be the Thunder’s time to shine as they return home for the first time since May 21st. If the San Antonio survives what is certain to be a tidal wave of emotion and intensity from OKC this evening, well, what appear to be a foregone conclusion will only occur sooner rather than later.
NBA Odds Betting Trend: Oklahoma City is 2-8 against the spread in its last 10 games as a home favorite with a spread between 0 and 3.5 points.
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2012 NBA Playoff Odds San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3: Provided by Bovada.lv
San Antonio Spurs +3.5 (-105), Over 205 (-115), +155 (Moneyline)
Oklahoma City Thunder -3.5 (-115), Under 205 (-105), -175 (Moneyline)
