NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors @ San Antonio Spurs Game 5
Game 5: Golden State Warriors @ San Antonio Spurs Tues. May 14, 2013 9:30 p.m. ET
After winning the second of two games at Oracle Arena, the Golden State Warriors were able to tie up their second round playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs at two games apiece before heading back to the AT&T Center on Tuesday night. Although Stephen Curry and David Lee are banged up and nowhere near 100 percent, the team’s best players have been able to do enough to provide the Warriors with a boost and therefore keep them alive in the postseason.
Despite losing two games in the first four against Golden State, the Spurs have played well enough in this series to keep up with the younger and faster Warriors. San Antonio is by no means the perennial title contender of the past that used to dominate the competition on a nightly basis without much of a challenge from an up-and-comer like Golden State, but this veteran savvy team has done enough to remain a contender and favored in Las Vegas odds more often than not.
Coming into Game 5 in San Antonio, the Warriors will attempt to keep their foot on the gas pedal after getting back into the series with a win over the weekend at home. Jarrett Jack played a huge role in the Warriors coming out on top and was arguably the difference maker for Golden State with Curry and Klay Thompson struggling.
With the series shifting back to San Antonio, the consensus seems to be the Spurs will take control once again. Tim Duncan and company will try to impose their will against the younger and inexperienced Warriors, but I believe they won’t be able to keep up.
At this point in time, the Spurs are favored by -6.5 to get their third win of the series. Although San Antonio may very well get the win, Golden State won’t make it easy.