Warriors vs Spurs Predictions NBA Today 03/31

© Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Spurs vs Warriors - NBA Picks, Experts, and Predictions

The NBA season is heating up, and the San Antonio Spurs will face off against the Golden State Warriors on March 31, 2023, in a Western Conference matchup. The Spurs have struggled on the road this season, losing five consecutive games away from home, while the Warriors have a 26-21 record in conference play and are currently sixth in the Western Conference standings. NBA experts, computer NBA picks, and NBA picks and parlays all point towards the Warriors as favorites to win this game. However, the Spurs will be looking to turn things around and earn a much-needed victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. In terms of statistics, the Warriors lead the league in averaging 16.5 made 3-pointers per game, with Klay Thompson leading the team in 3-pointers made and shooting at 40.8% from beyond the arc. Stephen Curry has also been a standout player for the Warriors this season, averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. On the Spurs' side, Tre Jones has been averaging 12.5 points per game and is their leading scorer. However, the team has struggled overall in conference matchups, with a 7-39 record, and is 5-39 in games decided by 10 or more points. Injuries may also play a role in the outcome of the game, with Andrew Wiggins out for the Warriors due to personal reasons, and several Spurs players, including Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell, out due to various injuries. Overall, NBA experts pick the Warriors to win, but anything can happen in basketball. This game is sure to be an exciting matchup between two Western Conference teams looking to make a push towards the playoffs.

Spurs: Offensive Analysis

The struggling San Antonio Spurs will need to step up their offensive game if they hope to end their five-game road losing streak when they take on the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs currently rank 25th in points per game with an average of just 112.1, a far cry from the Warriors' second-ranked offense that averages 118.2 points per game. San Antonio's offensive struggles extend beyond just points per game, as they have a below-average effective field goal percentage of 52.4% (ranked 26th) and a low free throw rate of 0.227 (ranked 29th). Their two-point percentage of 52.9% is also below average, ranking 25th in the league. The Spurs do, however, excel in one area of offense - their 55.4 points in the paint per game ranks second in the league. They also rank fifth in assists per game with an average of 27.0. In terms of individual players, Tre Jones leads the team in scoring with an average of 12.5 points per game, while Devonte' Graham is averaging 1.6 made three-pointers over the last 10 games. However, the Spurs will need more scoring contributions across the board if they hope to keep up with the high-scoring Warriors. Overall, the Spurs' offensive struggles make it difficult to predict a win for them in this matchup. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks both heavily favor the Warriors, and it's easy to see why with San Antonio's struggling offense.

Spurs: Defensive Analysis

The San Antonio Spurs have had a tough season, especially on the defensive end. They currently rank 30th in the league in points allowed per game, surrendering an average of 122.6 points per contest. This is a major issue that will need to be addressed if the Spurs hope to have any chance of stopping the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. One of the Spurs' biggest defensive weaknesses is their inability to defend the three-point line. They allow opponents to shoot 39.3% from beyond the arc, which is the worst mark in the league. Given that the Warriors lead the league in made threes per game and boast one of the best shooters in NBA history in Stephen Curry, the Spurs will need to be much better at contesting long-range shots. San Antonio also struggles with defensive rebounding, ranking 23rd in total rebounds allowed per game. This will be another major issue against the Warriors, who are a top-10 team in offensive rebounds per game. San Antonio will need to focus on boxing out and limiting second chance opportunities. On a positive note, the Spurs are a top-20 team in steals per game and steals per play. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes and generate turnovers will be a key factor in limiting Golden State's offensive production. Ultimately, the Spurs will need to step up and play with more intensity and focus on the defensive end if they hope to end their road losing streak and come away with a win against the Warriors. While they face an uphill battle, a strong defensive effort could give them a chance to pull off the upset.

Warriors: Offense Analysis

The Golden State Warriors currently have the 2nd best offense in the league, averaging 118.2 points per game. Stephen Curry has been the cornerstone of their offense, averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. Klay Thompson has also been a key contributor, averaging 19.5 points per game over the last 10 games. The Warriors are also the league leader in 3-pointers made per game, with an average of 16.5 while shooting at a 38.3% rate from beyond the arc. Their efficient offense is due to their excellent ball movement and team play, evidenced by their 29.5 assists per game, the highest in the league. They also have a strong presence inside the paint, averaging 44.5 points per game, despite not having a dominant big man on their roster. While their offense has been formidable, their defense has been a different story, ranking only 23rd in the league in points allowed per game. This could be a potential weakness for the Warriors, but their strong offense should be enough to compensate for their defensive shortcomings. Overall, the Warriors' offense is undoubtedly their strongest asset, and with the firepower they possess, they should have no problem scoring against the struggling San Antonio Spurs. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computers predict a comfortable win for the Warriors, with many NBA picks and parlays pointing towards the Warriors covering the spread.

Warriors: Defensive Analysis

The Golden State Warriors have been playing solid defense this season, allowing only 117.6 points per game to their opponents. This ranks them in the middle of the league in terms of defense. They have been able to limit their opponents' field goal shooting percentage to 47.1%, which is also in the middle of the league. The Warriors have been better at defending the three-point line, allowing only 36.7%, which ranks them in the top 10 in the league. Draymond Green has been the anchor of the Warriors' defense, averaging 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He has been able to make crucial stops in crucial moments of the game, solidifying his defensive prowess. Klay Thompson, who recently came back from injury, has also been a key contributor to the Warriors' defense with his perimeter defense and ability to contest shots. The Warriors have also been able to force their opponents into turnovers, averaging 7.1 steals per game, which ranks them in the top 20 in the league. Stephen Curry has been a key factor in this aspect of the game, averaging 1.2 steals per game. Despite their solid defense, the Warriors have been struggling with rebounding, allowing their opponents to grab an average of 53.0 rebounds per game, which ranks them in the bottom 10 in the league. They will need to focus on boxing out and crashing the boards in order to limit their opponents' second chance opportunities. Overall, the Warriors have a solid defense that will be tested against the San Antonio Spurs. If they can continue to play solid defense and limit their opponents' scoring, they will have a good chance of winning the game. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer predictions are likely to favor the Warriors in this matchup.

Injury Report

Both teams have several players listed on their injury report. For the Golden State Warriors, Andrew Wiggins is out due to personal reasons, Ryan Rollins is out for the season with a foot injury, and Andre Iguodala is out with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs will be without Jeremy Sochan (knee), Keldon Johnson (foot), Khem Birch (knee), Devin Vassell (knee), and Charles Bassey (patella). These injuries may have a significant impact on the game, as the Warriors will be missing several key players. However, the team has been able to perform well despite the injuries this season, and Stephen Curry has been having an MVP-caliber season. On the other hand, the Spurs have struggled with consistency all season, and the absence of several players will only make it more challenging for them to compete against the Warriors. With a five-game road losing streak, the Spurs will need to give it their all to come out with a win on Friday night.

Betting Trends Analysis

The betting trends heavily favor the Golden State Warriors in this matchup. They have a winning record of 40-37 and are sixth in the Western Conference, while the San Antonio Spurs are only 19-57 and 14th in the Conference. The Warriors also lead the league in averaging 16.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.3% from deep. Klay Thompson leads the team averaging 4.3 makes while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range. On the other hand, the Spurs have lost their last five road games and are 7-39 in conference matchups. Additionally, they are 5-39 in games decided by 10 or more points. In terms of recent performance, the Warriors have won six of their last ten games and average 119.6 points per game, while the Spurs have only won two of their last ten games and average 110.8 points per game. Overall, it seems that the Warriors are the clear favorite in this game and many NBA picks experts, NBA picks computer models, and NBA picks em predict that they will win. However, it's important to consider factors like injuries, home-court advantage, and individual player performances before placing any bets or making predictions.

Prediction: Warriors to beat Spurs, but it will be a close game

Despite the Warriors' dominant record and home-court advantage, the Spurs are determined to end their five-game road losing streak. The teams have faced each other twice this season, with the Warriors winning both games. However, the Spurs have kept the scoring close, losing by only 7 points in their first matchup and 31 points in their second. While the Warriors have the advantage in 3-point shooting and overall offensive stats, the Spurs have shown strong defensive performances throughout the season. Additionally, with Stephen Curry's recent injury and several key Warriors players out due to injury, the Spurs may have a chance to keep the scoring margins slim. Overall, expect a hard-fought game, but the Warriors to come out on top by a narrow margin, making the Spurs the smart pick against the spread. 

Pick: Spurs (+9.5)