Spurs 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

After surprisingly losing in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs last season, the San Antonio Spurs are out for redemption, and the path was laid out for them Thursday in the form of the NBA schedule release.

While San Antonio’s roster remains largely unchanged, the biggest difference from last year is the retirement of Tim Duncan, who was replaced by Pau Gasol. The Spurs may have gained in terms of production, but it is difficult to predict how losing the heart and soul of the team will impact their psyche.

With the Spurs set to enter a new era in franchise history, here is a look at their 2016-17 schedule, as well as further analysis of the top games on tap and predictions for how the first post-Duncan season in San Antonio will play out.

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Golden State Warriors

Championship Odds: 10-1 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Golden State Warriors

First Overall Matchup: Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET at GS

The Spurs enjoyed one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history last year going 67-15, but they were very much overshadowed by the Golden State Warriors setting the all-time record with a mark of 73-9.

One of those nine losses came at the hands of the Spurs, although the Dubs went 3-1 against San Antonio and firmly established their dominance over their closest regular-season competition.

Golden State likely got better during the offseason by signing Kevin Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The jury is still out on whether the Spurs improved, but with superstars like Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge still in place, they figure to be an elite team once again.

Even though the Warriors fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, they are the measuring stick against which all other teams are compared. In all likelihood, San Antonio will have to go through Golden State in order to win an NBA title in 2016-17.

Because of that, the Spurs’ first regular-season matchup with the Warriors is of great importance. A win or loss in that game won’t make or break the year for either team, but it could serve as a warning shot to the rest of the league.

The Warriors look unbeatable on paper with Durant joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green; …

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