[t-wizzle]

I'm surprised you're on the Spurs since you said they wouldn't go more than two rounds.

What changed?

Also, didn't you say the Clippers would beat OKC in a short series?

Personally, I was more scared of the Clippers than I am the Spurs.

I thought OKC would lose to LA but if they somehow got passed LA they would win this series. Losing Ibaka hurts but I don't think it's as huge as people think it is.

You referenced a few years ago and said Durant and Westbrook are the same. I disagree. They now have more experience and have improved. If anything, the Spurs are older and a step slower.

We will see. I think this will be a long and competitive series.

OKC doesn't stack up but they've won 10 of twelve against the Spurs.

I did not say Clippers would win a short series. I think I said I leaned Clippers in that series but I never made a bet on their series price. Thought it was going to be pretty much a toss up and in fairness it was. Let's be fair - they had a crucial game stolen from them.

OK, now let's forget Ibaka for a second and just address this Thunder team without Harden. You really believe they are better than two years ago? I disagree. You make the experience argument but I honestly see no advancements in Durant or Westbrook's games. Durant still struggles against physical defenders who get up under him and Westbrook is still just as erratic. That's not to say both aren't great players - it's just to say that they are both the same players they were two years ago. And besides, it's not like they needed the experience two years ago seeing that they won that series so I'm not really sure what your point is there.

Now let's add in the fact that Ibaka is out and that's a huge loss that shouldn't be overlooked. Thunder go small and they'll get destroyed down low. On the flip, Durant could get favorable matchups on offense but do you really want him guarding a big man like Splitter/Duncan? Collison isn't good enough to battle with Duncan either. I like Adams but I think he'll get in foul trouble if they try to give him a lot of minutes.

I don't see how you can argue that the Spurs are a step slower. Parker is still the same player he's been for the past 10 years. There's been no drop off. Ginobili is still really good and so is Duncan. And like I said, the "others" have all gotten better (Green, Diaw, Splitter, Mills, etc) while Leonard is much, much better than he was two years ago.

[BigDofBA]

I did not say Clippers would win a short series. I think I said I leaned Clippers in that series but I never made a bet on their series price. Thought it was going to be pretty much a toss up and in fairness it was. Let's be fair - they had a crucial game stolen from them.

OK, now let's forget Ibaka for a second and just address this Thunder team without Harden. You really believe they are better than two years ago? I disagree. You make the experience argument but I honestly see no advancements in Durant or Westbrook's games. Durant still struggles against physical defenders who get up under him and Westbrook is still just as erratic. That's not to say both aren't great players - it's just to say that they are both the same players they were two years ago. And besides, it's not like they needed the experience two years ago seeing that they won that series so I'm not really sure what your point is there.

Now let's add in the fact that Ibaka is out and that's a huge loss that shouldn't be overlooked. Thunder go small and they'll get destroyed down low. On the flip, Durant could get favorable matchups on offense but do you really want him guarding a big man like Splitter/Duncan? Collison isn't good enough to battle with Duncan either. I like Adams but I think he'll get in foul trouble if they try to give him a lot of minutes.

I don't see how you can argue that the Spurs are a step slower. Parker is still the same player he's been for the past 10 years. There's been no drop off. Ginobili is still really good and so is Duncan. And like I said, the "others" have all gotten better (Green, Diaw, Splitter, Mills, etc) while Leonard is much, much better than he was two years ago.

OKC isn't as good as they were two years ago but they're still really good. I'm not even trying to argue that they're better without Ibaka and Harden.

With that said, I don't think Miami is as good as they were two years ago either.

As for the Spurs, they're as good as they been then last three years but they're not much better IMO. They're still damn good but I don't see them being better than last year or the year before.

Hell, they won 20 straight and were up 2-0 on OKC before losing in the conference finals two years ago. They were getting talked up then too.

Durant and Westbrook will take a ton of shots. That's what they do. With Ibaka out it's just means more shots for KD and Westbrook which I don't think will hurt OKC that
much.

Losing Ibaka hurts on defense but the Spurs interior game doesn't scare me as much as the Clippers. I'm really only worried about Adams getting into foul trouble like you said but Collison can do serviceable work.

It will be an interesting couple of weeks.

Honestly I thought the Clippers would beat OKC but even if OKC stole a game, LA stole a game OKC led by 16 in the fourth quarter. OKC proved to be the better team the entire series.

[t-wizzle]

OKC isn't as good as they were two years ago but they're still really good. I'm not even trying to argue that they're better without Ibaka and Harden.

With that said, I don't think Miami is as good as they were two years ago either.

As for the Spurs, they're as good as they been then last three years but they're not much better IMO. They're still damn good but I don't see them being better than last year or the year before.

Hell, they won 20 straight and were up 2-0 on OKC before losing in the conference finals two years ago. They were getting talked up then too.

Durant and Westbrook will take a ton of shots. That's what they do. With Ibaka out it's just means more shots for KD and Westbrook which I don't think will hurt OKC that
much.

Losing Ibaka hurts on defense but the Spurs interior game doesn't scare me as much as the Clippers. I'm really only worried about Adams getting into foul trouble like you said but Collison can do serviceable work.

It will be an interesting couple of weeks.

Honestly I thought the Clippers would beat OKC but even if OKC stole a game, LA stole a game OKC led by 16 in the fourth quarter. OKC proved to be the better team the entire series.

I meant the bad call at the end fukking the Clippers.

I believe I got every game in that series right two years ago (I may have missed on Spurs spread in Game 1... can't remember if I bet it or not). Basically I was all over Thunder winning that series even after they went down 0-2. I even remember absolutely unloading on OKC live when they went down big in Game 6. Point being, this isn't some bias or something. This is my honest opinion. RIGHT NOW, the Spurs are a better team, and it certainly helps that San Antonio is firing on all cylinders at the moment while the Thunder just lost a key cog.

[BigDofBA]

I think okc is going to lose in a short series man. Not overreacting to last night. I just don't think they are that good of a team. Westbrook and Durant take a lot of really bad shots

This was the post I was referencing when I said you picked LA in a short series.

OKC may not have a good team but they have two superstars so they always have a chance.

The Spurs have a better team top to bottom but so did the Clippers IMO.

[europe_baller]

both of you are correct to some extent in my opinion..i just like spurs in this matchup. i dont think kd and rw can win 4 games on jump shots..last 6 minutes of the game spurs will get much better looks and throughout the series it will make the difference..it will be hard to score enough tough jumpers to win for okc..i did play spurs tonight and i would say spurs win 4-2 series i dont think it goes 7...

[BigDofBA]

both of you are correct to some extent in my opinion..i just like spurs in this matchup. i dont think kd and rw can win 4 games on jump shots..last 6 minutes of the game spurs will get much better looks and throughout the series it will make the difference..it will be hard to score enough tough jumpers to win for okc..i did play spurs tonight and i would say spurs win 4-2 series i dont think it goes 7...

Can't argue with that assessment. It makes sense. I just think it goes 6-7 games and will be really competitive. OKC has a chance...they have the two best players on the court.

The Spurs have the better team and better coach but sometimes that can't overcome superstars.

Should be a good series. I don't see a sweep or 5 game series at all.

[t-wizzle]

This was the post I was referencing when I said you picked LA in a short series.

OKC may not have a good team but they have two superstars so they always have a chance.

The Spurs have a better team top to bottom but so did the Clippers IMO.

Oh right I guess that was after Game 1. Yea I remember now. I thought Clippers were going to win Game 2 as well which would have put them up 2-0 WITH homecourt. I didn't say it before the series though. In fact, I took Thunder in Game 1.

[BigDofBA]

Oh right I guess that was after Game 1. Yea I remember now. I thought Clippers were going to win Game 2 as well which would have put them up 2-0 WITH homecourt. I didn't say it before the series though. In fact, I took Thunder in Game 1.

Yeah will I picked LA to win the series because they have a better team top to bottom and I thought they had a lot better coach but Rivers did some dumb shit in that series. I didn't bet it but that was my prediction.

Paul didn't play well either except game 1.

[europe_baller]

Can't argue with that assessment. It makes sense. I just think it goes 6-7 games and will be really competitive. OKC has a chance...they have the two best players on the court.

The Spurs have the better team and better coach but sometimes that can't overcome superstars.

Should be a good series. I don't see a sweep or 5 game series at all.

yes..i dont see sweep at all... superstars make difference and they are young and fresh enough to play 40-45 mins..also i think spurs will not be able to shut down okc..they will have to outscore them like somebody already said..i can see spurs running away with it at least tonight..we will see.

[t-wizzle]

yes..i dont see sweep at all... superstars make difference and they are young and fresh enough to play 40-45 mins..also i think spurs will not be able to shut down okc..they will have to outscore them like somebody already said..i can see spurs running away with it at least tonight..we will see.

A sweep is unlikely because like you said, Durant and Westbrook are capable of winning a game themselves. That said, I think there's value and I see a short series here.

[amrit]

Wizzle do you like Spurs -5.5 tonight?

[t-wizzle]

Wizzle do you like Spurs -5.5 tonight?

Yes. I took Spurs 1H -3. I'll post tonight's plays when all of them are locked in. (Doubt I'll do anything more than Spurs full game spread)

[BigDofBA]

If you're going to play the Spurs at all, tonight would be the night.

First game without Ibaka. OKC will have to figure some thing's out. Probably take them a game to adjust.

If OKC lose by double digits it wouldn't surprise me but it's a longn series.

[GT21Megatron]

If you're going to play the Spurs at all, tonight would be the night.

First game without Ibaka. OKC will have to figure some thing's out. Probably take them a game to adjust.

If OKC lose by double digits it wouldn't surprise me but it's a longn series.

OKC gonna win

[Tommy Karate]

Spurs to win Series 4-0 +900 (.5x)
Spurs to win Series 4-1 +385 (1x)

I think we're looking at a short series here. This Thunder team just does not stack up and this Spurs team is better than the one in 2012. Just think back to that year. Yea they had the same core 3 but after that they were relying on guys like Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal off the bench. Now, Leonard is much better, Splitter is much better, Diaw is much more familiar with the flow of the offense, Green is better, etc. Meanwhile on the other side, Harden is gone, Durant and Westbrook are basically the same players, and Ibaka is out.

The Thunder will go back to their jump shooting happy ways and it won't work in this series. I expect San Antonio to score at will for the most part and to win this series in no more than 5 games.

good to see this.....

[t-wizzle]

Spurs -6 -105 (5x)
Spurs 1H -3 -110 (2x)


I took the first half earlier because I knew that would eventually bump to 3.5. I didn't want to jump the gun on the full game spread, kind of wanted to wait it out and see what it did but it's looking more and more like it will close at 6 and maybe even some more late money before tip.

I think I've outlined my reasons for backing Spurs in this series. They get off on the right foot tonight.

[t-wizzle]

good to see this.....

Thanks man good luck tonight.

[Pauulzcappin]

On Spurs 1st half as well gonna try to grab a live line if they go down big.

hopefully this break makes you get out of that funk - we all go through that shit

good luck

[t-wizzle]

On Spurs 1st half as well gonna try to grab a live line if they go down big.

hopefully this break makes you get out of that funk - we all go through that shit

good luck

Yea got the first one yesterday. One game at a time pal. Always been good during the conference finals and finals.

[Pauulzcappin]

Yea got the first one yesterday. One game at a time pal. Always been good during the conference finals and finals.

Not trying to get ahead of ourselves but do you also think the Spurs are taking it all this year?

[BigDofBA]

This may be the Spurs final run. If they win this series I will back them against Miami.

[crustyme]

Spurs to win Series 4-0 +900 (.5x)
Spurs to win Series 4-1 +385 (1x)

I think we're looking at a short series here. This Thunder team just does not stack up and this Spurs team is better than the one in 2012. Just think back to that year. Yea they had the same core 3 but after that they were relying on guys like Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal off the bench. Now, Leonard is much better, Splitter is much better, Diaw is much more familiar with the flow of the offense, Green is better, etc. Meanwhile on the other side, Harden is gone, Durant and Westbrook are basically the same players, and Ibaka is out.

The Thunder will go back to their jump shooting happy ways and it won't work in this series. I expect San Antonio to score at will for the most part and to win this series in no more than 5 games.

wait a min....

isn't this the same clown who said spurs have no shot at winning more than 1 playoff series?

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/players-ta...offs-year.html

the same clown who said portland would beat them?

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/players-ta...ice-350-a.html

what a dumbfuk.

[KRIT]

This may be the Spurs final run. If they win this series I will back them against Miami.

People have been saying that for a while now. If you really think about it, the only old guys on the team are Manu and Duncan. Duncan hasn't showed many signs of slowing down the past few years. I think SA still has at least one more year in them.

[BigDofBA]

You're right Krit. Duncan's game doesn't really suffer with age. That being said, if they cant get by OKC without it Ibaka, how will they in coming seasons when he is healthy?

OKC has owned the Spurs in recent years bc they are way more athletic. Now the Spurs have an edge bc of the Ibaka injury. They better capitalize.

[KRIT]

You're right Krit. Duncan's game doesn't really suffer with age. That being said, if they cant get by OKC without it Ibaka, how will they in coming seasons when he is healthy?

OKC has owned the Spurs in recent years bc they are way more athletic. Now the Spurs have an edge bc of the Ibaka injury. They better capitalize.

I don't really care about regular season. I could care less that OKC swept SA, just look at everyone who thought Nets could beat Miami b/c they swept them in the reg. season. And I can't compare OKC/SA series from 2 years ago to this year b/c Harden was on that team. Totally different OkC team from two years ago. If SA can't get past OKC in this series, then you're right, they won't have a chance against them next year with Ibaka....I just don't see OKC getting last SA though. But I can't deny that OKC poses some difficult matchups for SA.

gl to your thunder. Why is your owner so schizty? He should have just manned up and paid the luxury tax for Harden and won a championship but he is too tight with his wallet.

[t-wizzle]

The regular season matchups mean nothing. I don't think OKC "owns" SAS. It's not like they have some mental edge on them.

[BigDofBA]

Not sure. OkC has been one of the most profitable teams in the league for a few years now with all of the sell outs and post season home games. The window could close before the fanbase knows it. If they lose KD or Westbrook this could be a fringe playoff team easily.

As for this series, regardless of when these teams have played, you don't win 10 of 12 without some matchup advantages. Losing Ibaka tilts the scale in the Spurs favor but OKC should win some games. If they can get to a game 7 anything can happen.

Like Ive been saying, I didnt expect them to get this far. And yes, you would have to like the Spurs now. I am not taking OKC series price.

[t-wizzle]

Spurs -6 -105 (5x)
Spurs 1H -3 -110 (2x)


I took the first half earlier because I knew that would eventually bump to 3.5. I didn't want to jump the gun on the full game spread, kind of wanted to wait it out and see what it did but it's looking more and more like it will close at 6 and maybe even some more late money before tip.

I think I've outlined my reasons for backing Spurs in this series. They get off on the right foot tonight.

Added 1 unit to Spurs -6.

[t-wizzle]

Not sure. OkC has been one of the most profitable teams in the league for a few years now with all of the sell outs and post season home games. The window could close before the fanbase knows it. If they lose KD or Westbrook this could be a fringe playoff team easily.

As for this series, regardless of when these teams have played, you don't win 10 of 12 without some matchup advantages. Losing Ibaka tilts the scale in the Spurs favor but OKC should win some games. If they can get to a game 7 anything can happen.

Like Ive been saying, I didnt expect them to get this far. And yes, you would have to like the Spurs now. I am not taking OKC series price.

The window won't close as long as they have Durant. He should have developed a post game by now. Once he does that, they can win it. Sound familiar?

[BigDofBA]

Holy shit he is actually playing Lamb.

[mackave]

I'm here on 1H too.

[t-wizzle]

Holy shit he is actually playing Lamb.

The guy was giving them production off the bench when Westbrook went down. Then Brooks just stopped playing him because he trusts Fisher more. To me, he coaches scared. One of the best games Brooks ever coached was Game 2 against the Mavs in the WCF (correct me if I'm wrong on the Game #). He rolled the dice with bench guys late including guys like Eric Maynor and the only starter I think was Durant. I believe they won that game even with the role players in during the fourth.

I'm not advocating sitting Westbrook, I'm just using that as an example of him not coaching scared. He rolled the dice and it worked. He should do it more.

[BigDofBA]

Yes. That was the game Maynor played the entire 4th quarter.

[t-wizzle]

Damn I liked the Over tonight too and Spurs over.

Didn't want to get locked into too many bets on one game though. Oh well. Hopefully Spurs keep it up.

[BigDofBA]

Over should be a good bet every game if OKC is going to try win small like this.