Thunder-Spurs Rivalry Is Must-Watch NBA Television

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Thunder-Spurs Rivalry Emerges as Must-Watch Television

The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs delivered the kind of matchup that could become must-watch television throughout the season. The two teams do not like one another, and their games can quickly become chippy. There are not many matchups worth circling on the schedule, but every meeting between these teams could qualify.

San Antonio was the only team that consistently had Oklahoma City’s number during the regular season and playoffs last year, adding something extra to the matchup. Rather than being a traditional rivalry, it has developed naturally through competition.

The success of Oklahoma City and San Antonio also feeds into the broader conversation about markets, salary caps and salary floors. Similar discussions are happening in baseball after two small-market teams reached the World Series, but comparisons between the sports are viewed as apples and oranges. Oklahoma City and San Antonio have shown that teams outside the biggest markets can remain competitive, while the Cleveland Cavaliers have also won championships.

Oklahoma City should be the favorite, but San Antonio’s success against the Thunder puts the Spurs firmly in the mix. Minnesota is another interesting Western Conference team after working its way up the board over the past few years and entering this season in a stronger position.

The Los Angeles Lakers remain a different case. If they played in another city, they might be much lower on the board, but sportsbooks have to protect themselves because of the Lakers’ popularity. They attract public bettors in the same way as the Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Casual bettors often recognize a familiar name and place a wager without closely evaluating the team. That name recognition can leave teams such as the Lakers, Notre Dame and Dallas overrated year after year. Luca is also building excitement by taking out full-page ads aimed at the city of Los Angeles and Lakers fans ahead of the season.