San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors: Game 2 Odds, NBA Betting Pick

OddsShark.com @@OddsSharkFeatured ColumnistApril 16, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Quinn Cook #4 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors talk with each other while there's a break in the action of the third quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff against the San Antonio Spurs at ORACLE Arena on April 14, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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The second-seeded Golden State Warriors will attempt to take a 2-0 lead on the seventh-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Monday when they host them again as big home favorites for Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

The Warriors cruised to a 113-92 victory against the Spurs in Game 1 on Saturday, easily covering the spread as eight-point favorites.

NBA point spread: The Warriors opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total is at 205, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 109.9-103.7, Warriors (NBA picks on every game)

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Why the Spurs can cover the spread

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San Antonio can't shoot much worse than the series opener, making just 32-of-80 attempts (40 percent) from the field.

The Spurs shot slightly better from beyond the three-point arc (9-of-22 for 40.9 percent), and they will need to play much better defense in order to beat the number in Game 2.

Golden State made 54.3 percent of its shots (44-of-81) and saw Klay Thompson make 11-of-13 en route to a game-high 27 points.

If San Antonio can keep Thompson and Kevin Durant (24 points on 9-of-17 shooting) in check, then covering is definitely a possibility heading back home for Game 3 on Thursday.

Why the Warriors can cover the spread

The Warriors took control of Game 1 early on, jumping out to a 28-17 lead after the first quarter and building their lead from there.

They did a great job defensively, realizing the Spurs are limited with LaMarcus Aldridge the only real scoring threat.

Aldridge was held to 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 24 minutes, and holding him to a similar performance in Game 2 will remain the primary objective from a defensive standpoint.

Golden State has now won nine of the past 10 meetings, according to the OddsShark NBA Database, going 7-3 against the spread during that stretch.

Smart betting pick

It is hard to imagine a much different result in Game 2, especially because the Warriors are the league champions and have played so many playoff series over the previous three years.

They will not mess around in Game 2, as they won't want San Antonio to gain any confidence when the series shifts to the AT&T Center for Games 3 and 4.

Expect Golden State to roll to another easy win and cover at Oracle Arena.

NBA betting trends

San Antonio is 1-5 ATS in its last six games.

The total has gone over in four of San Antonio's last six games.

Golden State is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games.

All NBA odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.