The Golden State Warriors are already up 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals, and the San Antonio Spurs will be shorthanded again for Game 4 as Kawhi Leonard and David Lee both won't play. Can the Spurs pull off a Celtics-like upset to avoid the sweep, or will the Warriors advance to the NBA Finals for a third straight year? Here's a preview and prediction for tonight's game:
Game Info:
When: 9:00 pm ET
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: ESPN
Spread: Warriors (-11.5)
O/U: 218
What They're Saying About The Golden State Warriors:
Entering the NBA Finals 12-0 'would be irrelevant' to the Warriors
Warriors’ Kevin Durant doesn’t ‘plan on going anywhere else’
Golden State becoming the Road Warriors
What They're Saying About The San Antonio Spurs:
Duncan offers tips, laughs to struggling Spurs
The Last Stand of Manu Ginobili, NBA Unicorn
Zaza: Popovich's remarks 'big part' in threats
Key To The Game: Can Golden State stay focused for all 48 minutes?
Ok, let's be blunt about this - without Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs simply don't have enough to compete with the Warriors. Their only chance for a win is to hope that Golden State assumes they're going to win and doesn't play hard. That's what happened to the Cavaliers last night in the second half when they allowed the Celtics to come back and steal a win. As long as the Warriors come ready to play and stay focused for the entire game, they'll win going away.
Prediction: Warriors win 110-93
Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry & Co. are simply too much for the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge has shown over the last two games that he isn't capable of carrying the offense, and Jonathon Simmons is the only player who has stepped up in Kawhi Leonard's absence. The Warriors will control this one throughout.