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Inside the Paint- Monday
The final stage on the road to the NBA Finals is set, as the Western Conference Finals begins (9:05 PM EST) on Monday night with the Thunder visiting the Spurs. After an exciting playoffs thus far, the top two seeds in the West have made it to the finals. The path has been tough though, as Oklahoma City went to seven games in its opening series against the defensive-minded Grizzlies and then needed six games to finish off the offensively talented Clippers. Overall in the postseason, the Thunder have gone 8-5 SU and 7-5-1 ATS while averaging a solid 104.5 PPG (45% FG).
San Antonio has also had difficulties getting to this points with a seven-game series to open the playoffs against the Mavericks, before an easier handling of the Trail Blazers in five games. The Spurs had gone 1-6 ATS in their first-round games but then went 4-1 ATS in the second round, defeating Portland by an average of 19.5 PPG in their four wins. Their offense has been extremely efficient so far in the playoffs, scoring 105.5 PPG (49.3% FG), while their defense has allowed just 98.7 PPG (43.7% FG).
NBA Playoffs Betting News & Notes
•Oklahoma City is without big man Serge Ibaka (calf) for rest of playoffs, a big loss; Thunder beat San Antonio in six games in playoffs two years ago, after losing first two games- they've won last five overall versus Spurs, winning all four meetings this season- they're 10-2 in last 12 series games, with six of last eight staying under total. Thunder is 4-2 on road in playoffs, with losses by 3-2 points. Spurs are 6-1 at home in playoffs, 4-3 versus spread.
--Over is 43-30 in playoffs this season.
--Favorites are 24-49 in playoffs this season.
Hoop Trends - Monday
•OKLAHOMA CITY is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 6+ points/game this season.
The average score was OKLAHOMA CITY 107.9, OPPONENT 101.7.
•SAN ANTONIO is 31-17 OVER (+12.3 Units) after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games this season.
The average score was SAN ANTONIO 106.4, OPPONENT 99.5.
•OKLAHOMA CITY is 45-28 (+14.2 Units) against the 1rst half line versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was OKLAHOMA CITY 54.5, OPPONENT 47.9.
•SAN ANTONIO is 18-2 UNDER (+15.8 Units) the 1rst half total after 5 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 42% or less this season.
The average score was SAN ANTONIO 52.6, OPPONENT 43.1.
•GREGG POPOVICH is 29-9 UNDER (+19.1 Units) the 1rst half total in the conference finals as the coach of SAN ANTONIO.
The average score was POPOVICH 48.4, OPPONENT 45.5.
Situation Analysis of The Day
•Play Under - All teams where the first half total is greater than 100 (SAN ANTONIO) - good shooting team - shooting >=46% on the season, in a game involving two average defensive teams (43.5-45.5%) after 42+ games, in a game involving two average rebounding teams (+/-3 reb/game) after 42+ games.
(130-73 since 1996.) (64.0%, +49.7 units. Rating = 2*)
The average first half total posted in these games was: 104.4
The average first half score in these games was: Team 50.3, Opponent 52.4 (Total first half points scored = 102.7)
The situation's record this season is: (5-5).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (18-8).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (48-29).
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