The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one game away from a return trip to the NBA Finals. The Thunder took care of business at home in Tuesday’s Game 5 and lead the Western Conference finals 3-2.The Thunder are a very strong -450 on DraftKings to win the series. However, the Spurs are favored for Game 6. Could we get a decisive Game 7 in what has been a fascinating series?Game 6: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
TV: NBC/PeacockTime: Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ETSeries odds: Thunder -450, Spurs +350Spurs lead series 3-2On the surface, Game 5 was a relatively straightforward victory for the Thunder. Oklahoma City overcame a slow start to build a 20-point lead in the third quarter and won by 13.However, something interesting happened when the Thunder built that big lead in the second half. During a timeout in the third quarter with the Thunder leading 76-58, Victor Wembanyama gathered his team in a huddle and gave a passionate speech. The Spurs responded, by outscoring the Thunder 21-11 over the next four-plus minutes. That cut the lead to eight and made it a game again.The Spurs wouldn’t get any closer and the Thunder held on without any more drama.A run from 18 down to eight down in a game that the Spurs still lost by 13 may not be that significant, but it could also be a sign that the Spurs are learning what it takes to play in big playoff games. This team is young and going through its first playoff run together. Perhaps that spark will carry over to Thursday’s Game 6.The Spurs are favored at home by 3.5 points. Potentially with a renewed sense of urgency and with their season on the line, the Spurs should come out with that same energy on Thursday. That said, they started Game 3 with a 15-0 lead and still lost.While Wembanyama was the one leading that huddle with his team, his individual performance was a big reason why the Spurs struggled in Game 5. Wemby was just 4-for-15 from the field, including missing all five of his 3-point attempts. The Spurs need more than 20 points and six rebounds from their franchise big man.Meanwhile, De’Aaron Fox still appears to be less than 100 percent since coming back from his ankle injury. The 28-year-old guard is averaging 12 points per game in nearly 32 minutes per game in three games this series.Expect the Spurs crowd to be all over the refs again after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 free throws attempts on Tuesday and there was a sequence that led to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson getting a technical foul after complaining to the refs.
