19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

By Michael De Leon | Dec 18, 2020, 2:21pm

Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs Preview

The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA, but their impressive streak will be put to the test tonight in what could be a first-round Western Conference playoff preview as they host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have the top record in the West at 47-21 but have just a one-game advantage over the Denver Nuggets, who are also in action tonight. Golden State had been struggling as of late as evidenced by their 5-5 record in their last 10 games, but they’ll enter tonight’s game in San Antonio on a two-game winning streak.

The Spurs have been on a tear of late, racking up eight straight wins and moving from eighth place in the West to sixth place. They sit just one game out of fifth place, but in the Wild Western Conference, they are also just a half-game above the number eight Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs are 8-2 in their last 10 and 41-29 overall.

In their last matchup back on February 6, the Spurs sat many of their starters and the result was the Warriors routing them 141-102. Klay Thompson had 26 points for the Warriors, while Patty Mills led the Spurs with 16 in the loss.

TV Schedule

Date: 03/18/19
Time: 8:00pm ET
Arena: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Channel: ESPN

Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup

PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Draymond Green
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Warriors Analysis

The Golden State Warriors have seemed to have found their momentum at the right time, with just 14 games left on the books. After a bumpy road filled with struggled, the Warriors have won their last two, beating the Houston Rockets last Wednesday and then blowing out the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-88 on Saturday.

“Over the course of the game, and especially early in the first quarter, we imposed our will,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “We did our best to take care of the basketball so they didn’t have easy transition opportunities. And we rebounded the ball well. So all things considered, really solid effort.”

Curry and the Warriors scored 40 first-quarter points to put the pressure on Oklahoma City, and the Thunder never seemed to recover. Kevin Durant was out yet again, which makes the win even more impressive, but he is expected to be back in action tonight as the Warriors play their third game of this four-game road trip.

With Durant out, Curry led the charge with 33 points, and Klay Thompson added 23. DeMarcus Cousins didn’t play heavy minutes, but still contributed with 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Warriors Quick Links: Warriors Starting Lineup, Warriors Roster, Warriors Depth Chart, Warriors Injuries, Warriors News, Warriors Schedule

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup

PG: Derrick White
SG: Bryn Forbes
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Jakob Poeltl

Contents

Spurs Analysis

The San Antonio Spurs lost their top four defensive players before the season began as they traded Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, Kyle Anderson signed a free agent contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, and second team all-defense member Dejounte Murray was injured for the season.

The Spurs knew defense would be an issue coming into this season, but when they’ve surged, it’s been because of their defense. During their last eight wins, the Spurs are a league-best in scoring defense, allowing just 99.8 points per 100 possessions.

“We got to keep it up, continue to be consistent. We got to be able to lean on our defensive effort every single night before our offense, and that’s what we’ve been doing,” Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said.

Spurs guard Derrick White has been the catalyst of that defense, and he’s also been able to get it done on offense as well. He was one of seven players in double figured for the Spurs in Saturday’s 108-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

They were led by DeMar DeRozan’s 21 points, and in an off night for LaMarcus Aldridge, as he finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, they had plenty of help. With Rudy Gay on the bench, the Spurs have a strong second unit featuring Gay, Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli, and Davis Bertans. That group combined for 43 points and complete the Spurs’ core nine that they will probably use heavily in the playoffs.

Spurs Quick Links: Spurs Starting Lineup, Spurs Roster, Spurs Depth Chart, Spurs Injuries, Spurs News, Spurs Schedule

Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds

The Warriors are 2.5 point favorites to win on the road tonight in San Antonio. Golden State is 23-11 on the road and 44-17 as the favorite. San Antonio is 28-7 at home and 13-18 as the underdog.

The over/under is 224 points and the Warriors are -140 on the moneyline.

Odds & Line Movement Links: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors, Vegas Odds (All NBA Games Today)

Legally Bet on Sports

Located in Pennsylvania or New Jersey? If so, you’re in luck. Sports betting is legal and available. If you haven’t signed up on an online sportsbook yet, there is free bonus money waiting for you. It’s free money for you to bet when you sign up and make a deposit. The top promo codes available are:FanDuel sportsbook promo code, DraftKings sportsbook promo code & Pointsbet promo code

Michael De Leon

Michael is Chief Editor at Lineups.com. He has decades of combined experience in traditional print journalism and online media and is the publisher of the Project Spurs Network, which includes 13 team-specific sports media sites and the flagship ProjectSpurs.com. He is also the creator of the first Spurs podcast and the longest-running sports podcast on the internet, the Spurscast, and was formerly the host of the News 4 San Antonio Sports Roundtable.