The hosts are targeting an 11th straight win. San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors prediction
San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors
The San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors will meet overnight on November 13–14 in the NBA regular season. The game will be played at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, with tip-off scheduled for 03:30 Central European Time. The teams will also face off in the NBA Cup group stage. My pick is on the total points in this game.
H2H and statistical facts
- The Spurs have won 10 straight games.
- The Warriors’ loss to Houston in their previous game snapped an eight-game winning streak.
- Both of San Antonio’s losses this season have come at home.
- The Spurs have beaten Golden State at home just once in nearly six years, while losing 10 times.
San Antonio Spurs: 10 straight wins and a dominant Wembanyama
San Antonio comes into this game in excellent form. The team has won 10 straight games and, with a 10–2 record, is among the Western Conference leaders. The Spurs’ recent run has been particularly impressive: they have beaten Sacramento, Portland, Phoenix and Chicago in succession, with all four wins coming on the road. Now the team returns home looking to extend its winning streak.
In their previous game against Chicago, the Spurs trailed by 22 points but managed to turn things around and win 124–119. San Antonio stepped up after halftime, outscoring its opponent 68–49. It was another demonstration of the team’s ability to stay focused even in difficult situations.
San Antonio’s biggest star is Victor Wembanyama. The French center is averaging 30.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He finished with 32 points and nine rebounds against Chicago, after putting up 40 points against Phoenix two days earlier. Wembanyama also remains a major defensive force thanks to his shot-blocking ability.
San Antonio, however, does not rely solely on its star’s scoring. De'Aaron Fox can run the offense and put points on the board himself. The Spurs average 118.7 points per game and allow opponents just 107.
Golden State Warriors: winning streak snapped, and Curry’s status is uncertain
Golden State has also put together a strong stretch this season, but the team suffered a loss to Houston ahead of its trip to Texas. The Warriors fell 115–108, ending their eight-game winning streak. Before that, they had routed New Orleans 138–87, earning one of the biggest home wins in franchise history.
The most worrying development in their latest game was Stephen Curry’s injury. Golden State’s leader played only around six minutes before leaving with discomfort on the right side of his abdomen. His availability against San Antonio remains a major question. Before that, Curry had been the engine of the team’s offense, averaging 30.6 points per game heading into the Houston matchup.
Even without Curry at full strength, the Warriors have several players capable of stepping up. Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg showed their scoring touch in the blowout win over New Orleans, putting up 25 and 23 points, respectively. The team also displayed impressive ball movement in that game, recording 37 assists.
However, the injury situation could make the visitors’ task considerably tougher. Along with the uncertainty surrounding Curry, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, Brandon Williams and Kristaps Porziņģis are listed as unavailable. Against this backdrop, the team’s depth and the ability of Podziemski, Lendeborg and Draymond Green to maintain a high tempo throughout the game become especially important.
What’s the pick?
San Antonio looks like the favorite heading into this matchup. The Spurs have won 10 straight games, are playing well at both ends of the floor and have Wembanyama, who is in outstanding form right now. Home-court advantage is another plus for the hosts. The big question is whether Golden State will have Curry available. If the Warriors’ leader does not take the floor or has his minutes restricted, the visitors will find it extremely difficult to keep pace with their opponents. I’m taking Golden State +17.
