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5 Bold Predictions For San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

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The San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors meet this evening for the first time of the 2015-16 NBA season. These are the association’s two best teams, and the masses have been waiting for this showdown for quite some time.

With that said, here’s a look at five bold predictions for the highly-anticipated festivities (keep in mind, these are bold predictions and not the standard vanilla commentary you see online).

5. LaMarcus Aldridge Runs Roughshod Over Golden State

LaMarcus Aldridge Runs Roughshod Over Golden State Getty Images
LaMarcus Aldridge isn't having the monster statistical games with the San Antonio Spurs that he did with the Portland Trail Blazers, but that doesn't mean he's not playing at a high level. Aldridge is averaging 15.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game despite struggling to truly find his role in San Antonio's offense. Expect Aldridge to pound the Warriors in the paint, and essentially render Andrew Bogut and Co. defensively irrelevant.

LaMarcus Aldridge isn't having the monster statistical games with the San Antonio Spurs that he did with the Portland Trail Blazers, but that doesn't mean he's not playing at a high level. Aldridge is averaging 15.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game despite struggling to truly find his role in San Antonio's offense. Expect Aldridge to pound the Warriors in the paint, and essentially render Andrew Bogut and Co. defensively irrelevant.

4. Stephen Curry Scores Over 40 Points

Stephen Curry Scores Over 40 Points Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry's been in a league of his own this season, and has proved time and time again that there's no challenge he isn't up for. We all know Tony Parker isn't capable of shutting Curry down, so the Spurs are going to need a tremendous amount of help defense in order to keep him in check. But leaving other guys like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green open isn't an incredibly wise strategy either, so you can expect Curry to have his fair share of opportunities. In the end, he will be lights out from downtown, and ultimately finish with over 40 points.

Stephen Curry's been in a league of his own this season, and has proved time and time again that there's no challenge he isn't up for. We all know Tony Parker isn't capable of shutting Curry down, so the Spurs are going to need a tremendous amount of help defense in order to keep him in check. But leaving other guys like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green open isn't an incredibly wise strategy either, so you can expect Curry to have his fair share of opportunities. In the end, he will be lights out from downtown, and ultimately finish with over 40 points.

3. Gregg Popovich Unable To Orchestrate Adequate Defensive Gameplan

Gregg Popovich Unable To Orchestrate Adequate Defensive Gameplan Getty Images
No matter what he tries, head coach Gregg Popovich simply won't be able to get the most out of the Spurs on the defensive side of the ball. Typically, the only way the Warriors lose is if they beat themselves and miss an abundance of shots. Golden State gets incredibly hot from outside when playing at home, so that scenario is unlikely to unfold. Despite his best efforts, Popovich will be incapable of shutting down the Warriors for any significant period of time.

No matter what he tries, head coach Gregg Popovich simply won't be able to get the most out of the Spurs on the defensive side of the ball. Typically, the only way the Warriors lose is if they beat themselves and miss an abundance of shots. Golden State gets incredibly hot from outside when playing at home, so that scenario is unlikely to unfold. Despite his best efforts, Popovich will be incapable of shutting down the Warriors for any significant period of time.

2. Golden State Makes Over 15 Three-Point Field Goals

Golden State Makes Over 15 Three-Point Field Goals Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Clearly, Golden State isn't built to beat San Antonio in the paint. Most of the Warriors' points are going to have to come from outside, and we all know they are capable of going on rampages from downtown. That's what I expect to happen this evening, as Klay Thompson and Co. project to hit over 15 times from behind the arc.

Clearly, Golden State isn't built to beat San Antonio in the paint. Most of the Warriors' points are going to have to come from outside, and we all know they are capable of going on rampages from downtown. That's what I expect to happen this evening, as Klay Thompson and Co. project to hit over 15 times from behind the arc.

1. Golden State Defeats San Antonio By 10

Golden State Defeats San Antonio By 10 Getty Images
I firmly believe these teams will split their season series, with the home team holding serve in all four games. The only way the Spurs have a chance is if Kawhi Leonard goes insane on Harrison Barnes early and forces the Warriors to send a ton of attention his way. In this scenario, the other four Spurs on the court with him could get a plethora of excellent looks at the basket. However, that scenario is unlikely to occur. Expect the Warriors to win comfortably by 10 or more points.

I firmly believe these teams will split their season series, with the home team holding serve in all four games. The only way the Spurs have a chance is if Kawhi Leonard goes insane on Harrison Barnes early and forces the Warriors to send a ton of attention his way. In this scenario, the other four Spurs on the court with him could get a plethora of excellent looks at the basket. However, that scenario is unlikely to occur. Expect the Warriors to win comfortably by 10 or more points.

Timothy Downs is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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