Anyone Buying The Line Change In Gm 2 Of OKC/SA?

[Speedy88]

In game 1 SA was -5.5. Game 2 line opens at SA -4.5. Lets get some discussion going for tomorrow's game.

Even with the shorter line, I still kind of like SA. I don't see why SA can't win by at least 5 points at home. I thought outside of Manu, no one for the Spurs played great in game 1.

[bleek88]

vaginal juices

[Sport_Fish]

Well there is still nothing we've seen to suggest OKC will beat the Spurs. The first half of Game 1 showed just how good the Spurs can be - they played the most sloppy basketball of their playoff season and still down by just a few points. I think if they had limited their turnovers, this would've been a comfortable DD win for them - and gotten better production from their other players who usually play much better (Green).

OKC had the Spurs right where they wanted them, and still wound up losing. Its just remarkable how fast the Spurs can turn things around even when nothing is going right for them. I don't know what the books saw in that game that would suggest moving the line down...because I don't see OKC beating the Spurs now, and they should cover the -4.5.

I'm guessing they expect OKC to win or bring this down to the wire because this IS the deciding game for them this series. Sure, they are on the road, but going down 0-2, they won't end up beating the Spurs 4 times. And if OKC loses gm2, they're gonna be forced to play for their season in game 3, something I doubt they can handle against a team like Spurs.

[BigDofBA]

Well there is still nothing we've seen to suggest OKC will beat the Spurs.

http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=320108025

I agree with some of what you said and disagree. The Spurs aren't the 96 Bulls or 01 Lakers. If OKC brings their "A" game, they can win.

OKC didn't play their best last game. To be fair, neither did the Spurs. I'm just saying that OKC still has some bullets left in the chamber.

[vasilli07]

Feel Spurs will beat Thunder by 5-6 this time. But then ML is always the safer bet with all the strange shit at the end of the game.

[t-wizzle]

It means nothing speedy don't read anything into it.

[Speedy88]

One thing that was clear to me in game 1 was that the Spurs get easy shots and OKC doesn't. SA's offense runs so smoothly that it seems like most of their baskets are wide open jump shots or easy lay ups. OKC's offense is a lot different. A lot more isolation, and a lot more contested jumpshots.

I thought SA didn't come close to playing their best game in game 1. I think we'll see a much better Spurs team tomorrow. Just don't like where the line is at.

[BigDofBA]

One thing that was clear to me in game 1 was that the Spurs get easy shots and OKC doesn't. SA's offense runs so smoothly that it seems like most of their baskets are wide open jump shots or easy lay ups. OKC's offense is a lot different. A lot more isolation, and a lot more contested jumpshots.

I thought SA didn't come close to playing their best game in game 1. I think we'll see a much better Spurs team tomorrow. Just don't like where the line is at.

You bring up some good points.

I think coach Pop may have figured something out. All season long I have been watching Harden put is head down and go straight to the hoop. I've always wondering why the opposing teams try to avoid the contact. It's a charge on Harden everytime if the defense stays where their at because Harden has his head down and his shoulder lowered.

Likewise, Westbrook isn't getting that wide open shot at the elbow he usually gets.

[Speedy88]

You bring up some good points.

I think coach Pop may have figured something out. All season long I have been watching Harden put is head down and go straight to the hoop. I've always wondering why the opposing teams try to avoid the contact. It's a charge on Harden everytime if the defense stays where their at because Harden has his head down and his shoulder lowered.

Likewise, Westbrook isn't getting that wide open shot at the elbow he usually gets.

I think it is pretty clear that OKC's length and athleticism bothers SA a bit. There was a reason why SA had so many turnovers in the first half. I do expect SA to clean up their play in game 2, but OKC's length and athleticism will be a huge factor for them all series.

Late in the game, I just worry about your Thunder. Not sure they can keep up with the Spurs in the half court. Spurs are getting open lay ups in the half court whereas your Thunder are taking contested 20 foot jumpers.

And I agree with you about the charge problems for Harden and Westbrook. Those guys constantly go full speed into the lane. The Spurs have plenty of guys who are willing to take a charge. You won't find any Carmelo Anthony's on the Spurs.

[t-wizzle]

I think it is pretty clear that OKC's length and athleticism bothers SA a bit. There was a reason why SA had so many turnovers in the first half. I do expect SA to clean up their play in game 2, but OKC's length and athleticism will be a huge factor for them all series.

Late in the game, I just worry about your Thunder. Not sure they can keep up with the Spurs in the half court. Spurs are getting open lay ups in the half court whereas your Thunder are taking contested 20 foot jumpers.

And I agree with you about the charge problems for Harden and Westbrook. Those guys constantly go full speed into the lane. The Spurs have plenty of guys who are willing to take a charge. You won't find any Carmelo Anthony's on the Spurs.

But Westbrook's big thing is the pull-up mid-range shot around the foul line and Harden is good at maneuvering his body to avoid the offensive fouls.

[lakerboy]

Ml drop is the biggest thing. Pinny likes okc .

[lakerboy]

Not much of a move on series line either.

[Speedy88]

But Westbrook's big thing is the pull-up mid-range shot around the foul line and Harden is good at maneuvering his body to avoid the offensive fouls.

Very true.....Westbrook has one of the best mid range games in the NBA. I just don't like OKC's offense when the game slows down. As fast paced as the Spurs and OKC play, these games always slow down near the end. It is a very short line, Spurs could easily pull away in the last 6 minutes of the game and cover this line.

[bleek88]

its simple shit, you guys make this so complicated when its not

YOU DONT LIVE BY JUMPERS, YOU DIE BY THEM! SPURS IN FINALS

[BigDofBA]

its simple shit, you guys make this so complicated when its not

YOU DONT LIVE BY JUMPERS, YOU DIE BY THEM! SPURS IN FINALS

Miami shoots jumpers and so does San Antonio. What team doesn't? Likewise, OKC hasn't "died' yet.

Sometimes I wonder if people on this board think that ever team in NBA has Shaq playing center. There are like two dominate big men in the game right now. Bynum and Howard.

Shooting is part of basketball.

[chopperocker]

just play the Over 201

[Sport_Fish]

http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=320108025



I agree with some of what you said and disagree. The Spurs aren't the 96 Bulls or 01 Lakers. If OKC brings their "A" game, they can win.

OKC didn't play their best last game. To be fair, neither did the Spurs. I'm just saying that OKC still has some bullets left in the chamber.

C'mon that game is close to irrelevant...January? Where Spurs' top performer was Kuwait Leonerd? This isn't that Spurs team, and neither is it that OKC team.

Its apparent neither team played to their potential - which makes me like Spurs more. Simply because if 'adjustments' are going to be key in this game, I'll give the edge to the more deeper team with the better coach. And another thing, when coaches are not happy with a teams performance, the adjustments made primarily involves their big(s), more often than not...as they get you the easiest points. So I think Duncan has, and will be the more dominant big of anyone on the floor and if Pop can get him involved even more, OKC is not gonna have an easy time on the defensive end. He just has too many weapons that its hard for anyone on OKC to defend him well 1-on-1...and double teaming is not an option when you know the guy can simply pass it to anyone, even his center, that can knock down a 3.

So if both teams perform better this game, it just comes down to who u think can execute better. And as good as OKC is, Spurs are much better at executing at both ends and at the end of the day, they will always get more good looks.

[Gamble32jn]

Harden will screw spurs backers again.

[yysmer]

Well there is still nothing we've seen to suggest OKC will beat the Spurs. The first half of Game 1 showed just how good the Spurs can be - they played the most sloppy basketball of their playoff season and still down by just a few points. I think if they had limited their turnovers, this would've been a comfortable DD win for them - and gotten better production from their other players who usually play much better (Green).

OKC had the Spurs right where they wanted them, and still wound up losing. Its just remarkable how fast the Spurs can turn things around even when nothing is going right for them. I don't know what the books saw in that game that would suggest moving the line down...because I don't see OKC beating the Spurs now, and they should cover the -4.5.

I'm guessing they expect OKC to win or bring this down to the wire because this IS the deciding game for them this series. Sure, they are on the road, but going down 0-2, they won't end up beating the Spurs 4 times. And if OKC loses gm2, they're gonna be forced to play for their season in game 3, something I doubt they can handle against a team like Spurs.

I don't think it's Spurs playing sloppy in game 1. I think it's the defense and athleticism of OKC that is too much for the old Spurs to handle. OKC lost the game because of the refs and they suddenly gave up in the 4th quarter...

[Wojo]

its simple shit, you guys make this so complicated when its not

YOU DONT LIVE BY JUMPERS, YOU DIE BY THEM! SPURS IN FINALS

Damn, Bleek, tell us morons what to do!
do we bet SA in game 2 or OKC?

Please help us stupid folk!

[You mad bro]

Miami shoots jumpers and so does San Antonio. What team doesn't? Likewise, OKC hasn't "died' yet.

Sometimes I wonder if people on this board think that ever team in NBA has Shaq playing center. There are like two dominate big men in the game right now. Bynum and Howard.

Shooting is part of basketball.

bynum isnt dominate really ... he still needs to develop .. and idk about howard that dude is a hit or miss

[Speedy88]

LB you still like OKC even though Greek has it at -5 and everywhere else is at -4.5?

[cleaveland]

The line move is an adjustment for the zig zag bettors. It's the same thing every year.

[Speedy88]

This is what the OKC beatwriter tweeted yesterday:

Darnell Mayberry <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187); ">@</s>DarnellMayberry
The general feeling I got from the Thunder @ practice 2day can be summed up in a word: Ornery. Players were on edge, still ticked abt Game 1

Darnell Mayberry <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187); ">@</s>DarnellMayberry
It was clear that every player was still steaming from letting one get away. They knew they had Game 1 won but didn't finish the job.

[SpreadSniper]

Damn, Bleek, tell us morons what to do!
do we bet SA in game 2 or OKC?

Please help us stupid folk!

Take OKC ML and Spurs ATS, dont forget to buy a point on the Spurs

[Wojo]

Take OKC ML and Spurs ATS, dont forget to buy a point on the Spurs

That's a great idea! I wish I would have thought of it!