Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/9/2022

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Venue: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Where to watch: KENS, NBC Sports Bay Area

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Warriors: 51-29

Spurs: 36-44

Oh, you didn’t think the Golden State Warriors had much left to play for? Don’t blink, because the Warriors are still in the running for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They just can’t afford to lose one more game without Steph Curry in the lineup and need to fend off the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday in AT&T Center.

 

The math has become simple at this point. If the Warriors lose one of their final two games and the Dallas Mavericks finish the job in their season finale Sunday against the Spurs, Dallas will get the No. 3 seed, have home-court advantage in the first round, and also avoid the Phoenix Suns in the second round should they get that far.

 

But right now, eyes are on the Warriors and how they’ll get past the surging Spurs who will be getting a chance in the play-in tournament. Golden State has won three straight games, with their most recent being a come-from-behind effort against the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

 

Golden State may not have its two-time MVP and three-time NBA champion available, but they do have Klay Thompson continuing to work his way back from injury. Klay finished with 33 points on 12 of 22 shooting, as the Warriors held off a career-high 40 points from Talen Horton-Tucker to win by 16 points. But it wans’t the easiest night for the Dubs: They were playing even with the LeBron James-, Anthony Davis- and Russell Westbrook-less Lakers before going on a fourth quarter tear.

 

"I thought it was Klay's best game," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "I know he's scored more but just in terms of the shot selection, he just had his feet on the ground underneath him, his balance was great, his decision-making was really good. So a lot of good things happening."

 

In Steph’s absence, Jordan Poole has stepped up in a huge way to provide 3-point scoring and playmaking ability for Golden State. Poole finished with 19 points and 11 assists in Golden State’s home regular-season finale. If the playoffs were to start today, the Warriors would host the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

 

"Jordan's been amazing. He's had a fantastic season," Kerr said. "He's filled in for both Klay and Steph when they've been injured. He's done anything we've asked him to do."

 

The Spurs might not have as much to play for at this juncture, wrapping up a play-in berth and awaiting a 9-10 matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans later this week. If the Spurs are to make it back to the field of 16, they’re going to need to win twice, which is no easy feat considering the four teams that are in the running right now.

 

San Antonio is coming off a 127-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, a night that belonged to second-year star Anthony Edwards with a career-high 49 points. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 20, but San Antonio just had no answer for Edwards.

 

"I think he was the No. 1 pick in the draft, so that would indicate there's something there," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "He's a hell of a player."

 

But the Spurs also have some really good players that will give the Pelicans a run for their money. If you’re not looking forward to that Dejounte Murray-CJ McCollum matchup, you don’t love basketball.

There was once a time in life where the Warriors struggled to win in San Antonio, and I’m curious if Golden State is going to get a motivated Spurs team that absolutely wants to play better heading into the play-in tournament. Plus, I’m just as intrigued of wanting to see the Mavs on the bottom half of the bracket and what can happen. So make it happen, Spurs. Spurs by 6

Warriors are 30-30 ATS this season as a favorite.

Warriors are 19-8 ATS when revenging a loss against an opponent this season.

Spurs are 69-61 the past three seasons as an underdog.

PG: Jordan Poole

SG: Klay Thompson

SF: Andrew Wiggins

PF: Jonathan Kuminga

C: Draymond Green

PG: Dejounte Murray

SG: Joshua Primo

SF: Devin Vassell

PF: Keldon Johnson

C: Jakob Poeltl

Warriors: Steph Curry (foot, out), James Wiseman (knee, out)

Spurs: Doug McDermott (ankle, out), Keita Bates-Diop (back, questionable)

Points: Steph Curry -- 25.5

Rebounds: Kevon Looney -- 7.3

Assists: Steph Curry -- 6.3

Points: Dejounte Murray -- 21.2

Rebounds: Jakob Poeltl -- 9.3

Assists: Dejounte Murray -- 9.3