Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs odds and best bet

Both of these teams are in the playoffs in the Western Conference. Golden State is locked into the No. 3 or No. 4 spot, while the Spurs are bringing up the rear, gearing up for the play-in tournament. I am not sure they are going to make much noise, but at least San Antonio should not get outcoached in the playoffs, right?

The Dubs have won their last three games and are being very forward-looking over the final stretch. For the Warriors, it is all about health. Key big man Draymond Green is back, but Steph Curry is out until the playoffs. As long as this group is healthy, they will have a say in who wins the Western Conference. 

The Spurs have been underdogs all three times these teams have met this season, but that has not stopped them from winning two of the three games. All three contests have been close, decided by five points or fewer, with San Antonio beating Golden State a few weeks ago in San Francisco, taking advantage of a Curry-less Warriors team like they can again Saturday night. Without him on the floor, these teams match up a lot better because they have very similar strengths. 

Game Info

Golden State Warriors (51-29) vs. San Antonio Spurs (34-46)
Saturday, April 9, 2022
8:30 p.m. ET
AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
NBA TV

Betting Odds

Spread: Warriors -5.5 (-110), Spurs +5.5 (-110)
Total: 224
Moneyline: Warriors -255, Spurs +210

Best Bet

San Antonio +5.5

There are a couple of key factors for this game. The first is that San Antonio has proved to be a very good matchup for the Warriors this season.

I guess we should not be surprised, but these teams are built very similarly, and even though the Spurs do not have a Hall of Fame backcourt (Curry and Klay Thompson), they are able to hold their own. Both teams emphasize the perimeter when it comes to scoring, using their bigs for defense and rebounding only. That might be a bit of an oversimplification as Golden State's Draymond Green is useful in many ways, but he has always been a bit of a unicorn. 

The last time these teams met, Green played but Curry didn't and the Spurs won on the road. With this game at home, I expect them to show well and likely win again. Although, the spread is the sharper way to play it. 

Another factor for this game is the situation and what it might mean for the Warriors' intensity level. They do not have much mobility at this stage of the season and, like Brooklyn, seem to be focused on being healthy when the playoffs begin more than anything — where they play is not going to be as much of a factor for this veteran team. It is not that they are not going to compete, but I think coach Steve Kerr is not going to push any of his key players too hard with just a couple of games to go. 

Golden State is not a great bet in a game that is as much a tune-up as anything else. San Antonio does not have anything to play for either, but a young hungry team is the better play as the underdog in this spot. San Antonio is 26-25 ATS as an underdog this season.