Undermanned heavyweights battle in Texas
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has declared Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala off limits for tonight’s meeting with San Antonio. But are the defending Western Conference champs still primed to make some noise in the Lone Star State?
Handicappers clearly have their doubts. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Spurs odds of -630 to take care of business at home. Golden State, on the other hand, enters the Alamo City as a +415 underdog.
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The Dubs’ quartet of stars will sit for rest-related reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as cut and dry for Gregg Popovich’s bunch. San Antonio announced early this afternoon that power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is out indefinitely after experiencing a minor heart arrhythmia. Kawhi Leonard (concussion protocol), Tony Parker (back stiffness) and Dejounte Murray (groin tightness) are also sidelined.
Health issues aside, though, the Spurs are 9-1 since Feb. 13. They trail the Warriors by just 1.5 games for the No. 1 seed in the West. Yet in order to make things more interesting, Popovich must ask veterans like Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili to turn back the clock shortly.
We were a little mystified by Kerr’s quick decision to basically punt such an important contest. The hosts’ sudden rash of ailments, however, clearly levels the playing field. In any event, don’t expect much in the way of offensive heroics.
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