Going to side with San Antonio to cover the small home number against Oklahoma City in a heavyweight Western Conference season opener. 

The Spurs have a lot of confidence after winning last season’s Western Conference finals in seven games, capped by a 111-103 victory on the Thunder’s home floor. Now they open at the Frost Bank Center, where Victor Wembanyama and company will be eager to make an early statement.

Wembanyama enters the season after averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game last year, giving San Antonio a game-changing presence at both ends. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and second-year guard Dylan Harper give the Spurs additional playmaking and perimeter options. Harper has improved outside shooting, including a 57.1% mark from three-point range during the preseason, a promising sign for San Antonio’s offensive balance.

Oklahoma City remains a formidable opponent behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per game last season, so this will not be a walk in the park to open the season.

However, San Antonio has already shown it can match up with the Thunder in high-pressure games, and home court gives the Spurs another advantage. I expect Wembanyama to set the tone defensively while the Spurs’ depth helps them finish the job.