OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs, 2019-20 team preview
Every season pundits sleep on the San Antonio Spurs and this season is no different. With Dejounte Murray back how do the OKC Thunder matchup?
In the1996-97 season Gregg Popovich took over in San Antonio as the head coach after 18 games. That was the only time in his 23 seasons at the helm the Spurs missed the playoffs.
With each passing era and roster shift, analysts would claim “this will be the year the streak ends”. But, as Pops is wont to do his teams continually defied the odds. Entering this season more pundits than ever are predicting the end of the run. In fairness, even the Golden State Warriors are being questioned and only the Grizzlies and Suns can be cited as definitive lottery bound squads.
The West is richer than ever with up and coming squads, superstar duos and unprecedented roster depth. And yet, I’m still inclined to stick with the three certainties in life — death, taxes and the Spurs making the postseason.
The Basics:
2018-19 Record: 48-34
Playoff Seed: Seventh seed in West, lost in the first round to the Nuggets (3-4)
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich begins his 22nd season as the bench boss.
Points per game: Ranked 18th (111.7) | Opponent points per game: Ranked 12th (110.0)
Pace: Ranked 22nd (98.3) | Offensive Rating: Ranked 7th (112.9) | Defensive Rating: Ranked 19th (111.2)
Vegas Odds:
Win-Loss: 46.5 games
Odds to NBA Title: +6550
Odds to Win Conference: +3734
* Odds courtesy of The Action Network.
The OKC Thunder lost the regular-season series against the Spurs two games to one. Next up, let’s look at the offseason changes made by the Spurs and review what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other in their four contests.