The NBA Gambler: San Antonio Spurs (28-19) @ Portland Trailblazers (29-22)

Opponent: San Antonio
Line: +2.0

Gambler's Record: 18-18-1

Rusty: "God, I'm bored!"
Danny Ocean: "You look bored."
Rusty: "I am bored."
-Ocean's Eleven

Boring. That is the Spurs in a nutshell. The entire Popovich/Duncan era is one that has been lazily punctuated with mechanical, rote efficiency. Sure, they've won some titles, but where is the excitement?!

But here's the thing, that efficiency is fading. The Spurs have looked pretty bad as of late, as injuries and aging aren't helping matters. The Spurs have become the Old Man's team in a rec basketball league. Slow and lumbering, yet crafty enough to keep games close, they are still able to leave a youthful team scratching their heads.

However! However, however. There appears to be too much rust on the machinery. The reality is that San Antonio has been bad as of late. Portland may be playing a back-to-back, but they have youth on their side. Not to mention, they also have some the fresh legs from the recently returned Rudy and Batum, as well as the bench-rested legs of Pendo and Cunningham.

I think the Rose Garden has the energy to make a Spurs game exciting and the Blazers have the resiliency to take home the win.

Take the Blazers.