No. 2 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER at No. 1 SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: San Antonio -5.5 & 204.5
Opening Line & Total: Spurs -5.5 & 203

The two best teams in the West square off in the Conference Finals on Sunday as the Spurs host the Thunder in Game 1.

Both teams have dominated in the 2012 playoffs. The Thunder are 8-1 (5-3-1 ATS), winning by an average of 8.1 PPG. However, the Spurs are a perfect 8-0 (6-2 ATS) in the postseason, outscoring these foes by a whopping 13.8 PPG. The Thunder will try to speed up the pace with a younger lineup featuring three high-scoring players. San Antonio won two of the three meetings this season, and is 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) against Oklahoma City in the past three seasons.

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There are so many trends that scream to take the Spurs in this one. They are 15-5 ATS against top-level teams (win pct. above 70%) in the past two seasons, outscoring these elite clubs by an average of 7.6 PPG. They are 13-1 (12-2 ATS) with at least two days of rest this season, and since the All-Star break, San Antonio is 16-2 ATS (89%) against heavy three-point shooting teams (18+ attempts PG).

The Thunder are an impressive 24-13 (21-15 ATS) in road games this season, averaging 100.0 PPG. But the Spurs are a ridiculous 32-5 (27-8 ATS), outscoring visitors by an average score of 106 to 93. SF Kevin Durant scored 22.7 PPG (47% FG) against the Spurs this season, which was actually far below his league-high 28.0 PPG. PG Russell Westbrook put up 22.3 PPG and 5.7 APG against San Antonio this season, and SG James Harden shots lights-out in the season series with 19.3 PPG on 59.4% FG (41.7% threes).

San Antonio averaged 105.7 PPG in the three meetings with Oklahoma City this season, despite not having SG Manu Ginobili for any of the games. However, Ginobili shot just 26.7% FG (24-for-90) in the previous two seasons against the Thunder, spanning seven meetings. However, PG Tony Parker and PF Tim Duncan have thoroughly enjoyed this matchup. Parker put up 23.7 PPG and 7.7 APG in the three meetings, while Duncan damaged Oklahoma City for 13.3 PPG and 13.7 RPG this season. Both Spurs stars are shining in the playoffs as well, with Parker averaging 19.1 PPG and 7.1 APG, and Duncan adding 17.6 PPG (54% FG) and 9.0 RPG.