Where to watch Spurs vs. Thunder: TV channel, live stream, Game 1 prediction
It’s finally here. We’ve been waiting for the Western Conference Finals since December, when the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder three times in 12 days and kicked off what we hope will be the defining NBA rivalry of the decade. Even in this chaotic league, nothing could prevent their collision course. Both made it through the first two rounds comfortably and now make up the first 62-game winning team to face each other in a playoff series since the 1998 NBA Finals.
The most anticipated playoff series in years can now begin. Victor Wembanyama will try to reach his first NBA final in his third NBA season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not only defends his championship, but also his position as two-time MVP with Wembanyama in contention for the title of “best player in the world”.
Whoever wins this series will enter the NBA Finals as a heavy favorite and, perhaps more importantly, establish themselves as the league’s alpha for the future. Two potential dynasties kick off their first playoff clash tonight. Here’s what you need to know:
Thunder vs. Spurs: Game 1 Info
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | Date: Monday May 18
- Location: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City
- TV channel: BNC | Live Stream: Peacock
- Odds: Thunder -6.5 (via FanDuel)
Match 1 Prediction
Even if you pick the Thunder to win the series, there’s a lot to like about the Spurs heading into Game 1. Their 4-1 advantage in the season series was decisive, and it suggests that while the Thunder may have some answers for the Spurs at their disposal, they got none during the regular season. Jalen Williams is playing his first game since suffering a hamstring injury in the first round, so we don’t know yet how he will look. Plus, it’s a pretty significant increase in terms of intensity. No one has highlighted the Thunder yet. The Timberwolves at least made the Spurs sweat in the final round. San Antonio is more likely to be in fighting shape, at least mentally.
Much of Oklahoma City’s offense depends on Gilgeous-Alexander’s rim pressure. Wembanyama neutralizes a large part of it. The Thunder have some potential solutions, including the ability to create true five-man lineups, but no one has solved the San Antonio alien yet, and I suspect it will take a few games of trial and error to find a viable answer. The Thunder can win this series, but I’ll take the points and go with the Spurs in Game 1. The choice: Spurs +6.5
