Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (-6, 200.5)

The matchup between All-Star forwards Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio has the possible to be the series-deciding element because the Thunder and Spurs collide within the Western Conference semifinals. The teams open the series on Saturday in San Antonio and Leonard, the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, can be assigned to decelerate and frustrate Durant.

Durant averaged 26 points as Oklahoma City defeated Dallas in five games within the opening round but his shooting was subpar at 36.8 percent from the sector and 26.8 percent from 3-point range. Leonard averaged fewer points (21.5) during San Antonio's first-round sweep of Dallas but he shot 52.7 percent from the sphere - including a torrid 61.1 from 3-point range - while contributing 2.8 blocked shots and 2.8 steals. "He's grown so much," Durant told reporters of Leonard. "He's probably the most productive within the league at shooting the mid-range off the dribble. Can post up, dribble, shoot the 3, catch and shoot. Their team, their system, their continuity and the way they move allows him to get free a large number of times and utilize his game." This may increasingly be the third time in five seasons that the teams have met within the playoffs - the Thunder won in six games in 2012 to succeed in the NBA Finals and the Spurs' six-game series victory in 2014 also advanced them to the NBA Finals.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNTLINE HISTORY: The Spurs opened Game 1 as 6-point home favorites over the Thunder, were shortly bet as much as -6.5, but have since moved back to the outlet number. The full meanwhile, has seen considerable movement. It's been bet down two and a half points from 203 to the present collection of 200.5. Take a look at your complete line history here.

MATCHUP CHART:

ABOUT THE THUNDER (59-28, 40-46-1 ATS, 42-45 O/U): Oklahoma City's four victories within the Dallas series were by a typical of 23 points and point guard Russell Westbrook was in top form with five double-doubles - three points-assists and two points-rebounds - while averaging 26 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds. "He's got numerous energy, he's super aggressive and clearly top-of-the-line point guards within the league," Spurs point guard Tony Parker told reporters. "It's just fun to play against him. He brings numerous excitement to the sport. It's usually a really perfect matchup." The Thunder wish to see more consistency from backup center Enes Kanter, who had outings of 28 and 21 points against Dallas and scored six or fewer points in two others.

ABOUT THE SPURS (71-15, 47-39 ATS, 36-48-2 O/U): San Antonio won its games against Memphis by an ordinary of twenty-two points and looked well-oiled with three of the four victories occurring by greater than 20 points. Leonard and tool forward LaMarcus Aldridge (14.5 average against the Grizzlies) are the offensive mainstays and old playoff stalwarts like center Tim Duncan, shooting guard Manu Ginobili and Parker have accepted lesser roles. "YOU HAVE TO play both ends of the ground a bit differently because he's an All-Star player," Durant said of Aldridge. "He's a man that may shoot over any shoulder, he can shoot from range, he can roll to the rim, so it is a different dynamic while you play a man like that, and that's the reason if you have to be locked in and prepared for anything."TWEET BEAT:

TRENDS:

* Thunder are 4-0 ATS within the last four meetings.* Spurs are 0-6 ATS of their last six versus Northwest Division opponents.* Under is 4-0 in Spurs last four home games.* Under is 4-1 within the last five meetings.COVERS CONSENSUS: The early consensus has 54 percent of bettors backing the house side Spurs. On the subject of the total, 65 percent of wagers are at the over.

Read More... [Source: Covers.com: NBA News and Stories]