In one way, the Western Conference finals have lived up to the hype. It’s been a back-and-forth series that is going the distance with a Game 7 on Saturday.
However, the last four games have been decided by double-digits and haven’t had much drama. Game 1 was an epic double-overtime Spurs win, but most of the series has not been competitive from one game to another.
Will Game 7 change that trend?
Game 7: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Series tied 3-3
Time: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
The Spurs needed a response in Game 6, and they got it from the start. San Antonio made 3-pointers on their first three possessions and never let up.
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While Oklahoma City shot just 10-for-40 from 3-point land (including 0-for-5 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 1-for-9 from Lu Dort), the Spurs drained 15 3s in 41 attempts, with four each from Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell.
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The Spurs led throughout the game and won by 27 points. San Antonio won Game 4 by 21 points and then lost Game 5 in Oklahoma City, so there’s no reason to think Thursday’s blowout will carry over to Saturday.
The Thunder are favored in Game 7, but only by 3.5 points. OKC is expected to win, but those odds say it’s far from a sure thing. The associated moneyline odds put the Thunder at roughly 60-40 to win at home.
Jalen Williams returned for Oklahoma City after getting hurt in Game 2. He played only 10 minutes, scored one point and the Thunder were outscored by 18 points in those 10 minutes. He did not speak to the media after the game, and there has not yet been an update on his hamstring injury ahead of Game 7.
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is on the same boat. He’s missed the last couple of games due to a soleus (calf) injury and is questionable for Game 7.
Most everyone else should be fresh for Game 7. Only one player for either team played 30 minutes in Game 6 (San Antonio’s Stephon Castle).
While these two teams are beating each other up, the New York Knicks await the winner and haven’t played since May 25.