Spurs will look to supporting cast sans Leonard in Game 2

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San Antonio Spurs all-star forward Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors tomorrow.

Leonard, who initially injured his ankle in the semifinal series against the Houston Rockets, exited Game 1 after he re-injured it while landing on Zaza Pachulia’s outstretched foot after an attempted jump shot.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich addressed the media while Leonard was undergoing an MRI and voiced his displeasure with Pachulia.

The loss of Leonard, even if just for one game, is a big blow to the Spurs. While they were able to close out the Rockets with Leonard sidelined, the Warriors and their myriad of offensive weapons are an entirely different beast altogether.

I would expect Jonathon Simmons to get the start tomorrow, and the Spurs will likely need more of the same from him and another big game from LaMarcus Aldridge as he once again becomes the focal point of the offense.

The Spurs have had big performances recently from Danny Green, Manu Ginobili and Dejounte Murray, and they’ll look to them once again tonight.

With Leonard being out, a heavy burden will be placed on Green’s shoulders as the team’s top defender now. He will likely draw a matchup with Kevin Durant.

Patty Mills will need to bounce back from his Game 1 performance, and he and Murray will be expected to wrangle All-Star point guard Steph Curry.

The odds for the Spurs are obviously not looking great considering the loss of their greatest offensive and defensive threat.

“The San Antonio Spurs are double digit underdogs (+14 points) for Game 2 of the series vs Golden State and that has much to do with Kawhi Leonard’s status. The Spurs held a 26-point lead before Leonard was forced to leave, and even when they ended up losing by just 2-points, odd makers are expecting a different scenario for game 2, and it isn’t good news for Spurs fans” commented MyBookie line manager David Strauss.

Game Odds
Game: Spurs vs. Warriors
Spread:
San Antonio Spurs +14-110
Golden State Warriors -14-110
Total:
209½ O-110 / U-110
Moneyline:
None
Odds By MyBookie

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