Wednesday’s duel between the Warriors and the Spurs was an electric showdown. Golden State needed every bit of Steph Curry’s magic to take down San Antonio on the road. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle brought plenty of scoring punch, but they were reminded who has haunted the West for the last decade. Now they get another shot at Curry and Co. in an NBA Cup Friday night showdown.
The Spurs are 2.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. They’re priced at -148 on the moneyline, while the Warriors are +124 underdogs. The total for this game is set at 233.5 points. Let’s get into my preview, prediction, and pick for this Warriors vs. Spurs game.
Warriors vs. Spurs prediction, preview
The Spurs’ start to the season has been electric. Fueled by Wemby’s excellence and some strong role player performances, they’re one of five teams with top-ten offensive and defensive ratings. Now they get to work De’Aaron Fox back into the fold after he missed the start of the season, and it only brings more excitement.
Wemby’s presence and their explosive results can put people out over their skis, but we have to remember this is still a young and new team. Victor still has to grow (both literally and figuratively), Stephon Castle has to refine his game, and they have a lot of new faces to incorporate. They’re a power on the rise, but rushing to anoint them would be a mistake. Still, this is a great group.
Wednesday’s game was a glimpse of what the Warriors are capable of. They’ve been struggling with a series of back-to-back games (eight of their first 13 games!), which has taken a toll on their veteran roster. Golden State got blown out on Thursday by the Thunder, and their reward was a road back-to-back in San Antonio. After getting hit in the mouth early, they slowly clambered back into the game and worked the Spurs down the stretch. The Steph Curry-Jimmy Butler partnership remains excellent.
It’s the old vs. the new, the rising power vs. the establishment. Who will respect the Cup more tonight?
Warriors vs. Spurs pick, best bet
This one is tough to call. We know the Spurs are good, but it’s unclear how good a rested and healthy Warriors team can be. My gut says Spurs, but the line is tight. The value lies in the over; Golden State’s offense is tough for most teams to contain, and they lack an answer for San Antonio’s athleticism and size. It should be a tight, back-and-forth affair.
