San Antonio Spurs 111-113 Golden State Warriors
The heart-stopping Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was not what sports betting fans have imagined.
With pre-match Asian Handicap Betting odds giving the Spurs a double-digit handicap, a blowout is what was expected to happen – an easy and comfortable Warriors victory to say the least.
But man-oh-man, betting websites couldn’t be more wrong – we couldn’t be more wrong.
Indeed, if there are two things we learned in this game – no matter how confusing this may be – it’s that don’t ever underestimate San Antonio and never doubt Golden State.
Sure enough, the Warriors benefited from Kawhi Leonard re-injuring his left ankle that cost him to miss the final 20 minutes of the match, though that doesn’t undermine the depth and dead-eye shooting that they displayed to turn the game around and overcome a 25-point deficit.
Stephen Curry, who finished the match with 40 points despite a slow start, scored 19 in the third quarter as he led the Warriors to an 18-0 run following Leonard’s substitution.
Kevin Durant also impressed with his all-around performance, recording 34 points, five rebounds, four assist and four blocks while shooting 52.4 percent from the field. He also scored 10 straight points during a key fourth-quarter stretch that put them within striking distance of the visitors.
The Spurs outplayed the Warriors on both ends of the floor for the most part, but Leonard’s injury hurt them big.
Gregg Popovich’s side relied on their famed offence centred on ball distribution to counter the Warriors in the absence of their main man. However, Golden State’s high-octane shooting was too much for the injury-riddled squad already missing veteran playmaker Tony Parker.
LaMarcus Aldridge anchored San Antonio’s offence, tallying 28 points to go along with eight boards, while Manu Ginobili and Jonathon Simmons chipped in 17 and 12 respectively.
Leonard, on the other hand, had 26 points in just 23 minutes of action. It remains to be seen if he will be able to play in the next game.
Game 2 will be on Wednesday at Oracle Arena before the series shifts to San Antonio.
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