NBA Playoffs 2012: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 1 Odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder (8-1) and San Antonio Spurs (8-0) both delivered knockout blows to the city of Los Angeles in the previous round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, as the two teams prepare to meet in the Western Conference finals on Sunday night at the AT&T Center, with the opening tip scheduled for 8:30 ET on TNT.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Spurs as five-point home favorites in Game 1, while the total has quickly jumped 2.5 points to settle in at 203.5.

Oklahoma City has advanced to this stage for the second consecutive year, eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in a best-of-seven second-round series, including a 106-90 victory as 7.5-point home favorites on Monday night. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have led the team on the offensive end, combining to average 50.7 points in nine postseason games this year.

The Thunder were bounced out of last year's playoffs in the Western Conference finals by the Dallas Mavericks in five games, who eventually went on to win the 2011 NBA championship over the Miami Heat.

Sports bettors will quickly notice that the Thunder dropped two of three regular-season meetings against the Spurs, including a 107-96 setback as 2.5-point road underdogs in its only trip to the Alamo City.

San Antonio has registered back-to-back sweeps of the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in the first two rounds, posting a 6-2 against-the-spread record along the way. The Spurs have notched 18 straight victories dating back to a 107-97 regular season win over the Memphis Grizzlies on April 12.

Both rosters have plenty of playoff experience to draw from, but the Spurs definitely hold an edge due to having Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The trio is expected to play in its 131st postseason game together in the series opener.

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs take a 1-0 series lead

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