The way i see it, it is very clear the last two games Thunder outplayed Spurs with Serge Ibaka playing, and totally opposite the first two games without Serge Ibaka on the floor, so why on earth Spurs are favored 4.5 and now going up to 5? The line tells you something... Here is my take..
The only advantage the Spurs have right now in game 5 is "home court" advantage. That's it. People saying that Coach Pop rested his starters in game four to be effective come game five is not a factor, for me it is more of psychological defensive scheme, that it hurts the eye seeing they just can't play Spurs basketball while Ibaka manning the floor, substituting the opportunity in game 4 to try something out, to figure something out on hand, but instead Coach chose to hide their players and rest them too early in the game.
Not saying Spurs don't stand a chance against Okc in this series, but the way we saw how things turned from the first 2 games and the last 2 games is very evident Okc has the upper hand, momentum has shifted, Durant and Westbrook back to form and playing Superb basketball, and the Spurs on the other hand makes you think that they are saving their starters legs in game 4? its more of saving their flaws, in denial that they just can't figure something out against a healthy Thunder team.
The way things turned, Spurs has no business laying 4.5 and now 5 against Okc, don't forget Spurs favored - 5 in game two without Ibaka in the line up and that is justifiable, but now line giving okc +5 is too much... So this line tells you something...
The way i see it books knows public money slight advantage will be on Spurs side... and Smart money on the other hand??? will be on Spurs too..... yeah that's right...
If the line opens at 2 or 2.5 Smart money will be tentative and might shifted on Okc side, but 4.5 and now 5??? Smart money will go to Spurs side, and that is big money.
In short, fair public money plus ( sharp )smart money baited on to take Spurs is Big money and you know what that means, odds maker cashed in...
For me Vegas knows who has the overall advantage in game 5 and that is Oklahoma and yeah, they still giving them 4.5 and 5 is the biggest two sided lure to cashed in, right moment at the right time...
Game 5 line, sharp bettor smart money plus a fair amount of public money goes to Spurs = reverse trap.
If this line is pk, yeah i am sure public money will still be divided that's the mentality Vegas install on bettors when they release the line.
Like i said the only advantage Spurs has right now in game 5 is Home Court. That's it. and now you giving me 5? lol. you know what that means...
Bomb time.