“Despite being the defending champions, the Cavs are underdogs in the sportsbetting lines to win the NBA title. Cleveland was one of the top favorites to get to the finals during the regular season, but they now head to Game 1 of the series as 7-point road underdogs” commented David Strauss, line manager at MyBookie.ag.
Game Odds:
Game: Game 1 of the NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
Spread:
Cleveland Cavaliers +7-110a
Golden State Warriors -7-110
Total: 225½ O-110 / U-110
Moneyline:
Cleveland Cavaliers +260
Golden State Warriors -320
Odds By MyBookie
Analysis: These are two of the best teams to ever meet in the NBA Finals, with a combined record of 24-1 this post-season. That’s truly almost unfathomable. It’s also the first time in NBA History that two teams have met in three consecutive NBA Finals, and the games should be just fantastic. I think the series will be a lot closer than some people are expecting, and I also think the Cavs would win it all again. Although, the Warriors are one of the highest scoring and most efficient playoff teams of all time, so the Cavs are going to have their work cut out for them on defense. They can stop individual players, but how do they shut down all four all-stars every game? There’s only 1 Lebron on defense, and that is going to be the big question mark. Any of the 4 Warriors could go off during any given game, and that is going to be hard to stop with the way they are blowing out their opposition every game so far. One thing that the Cavs need to do, and will greatly enhance their chances of winning, is to try to turn the games into a series of Iso-Ball. The Warriors fare better when their offense is free-flowing and everyone is involved, but LeBron and Kyrie Irving are almost unstoppable in 1 on 1 Iso situations. So if they can make the games into a series of 2 on 2 play, I think it will be their best chance at winning. The Warriors have a very good defense, and the Cavs defense is much worse, so if they can reduce the possessions and stop the Warriors from blowing them off the court, it will be their best chance at winning it all again. And of course the Cavs also have LeBron, who is in the GOAT discussion… and as we all saw last year he can single-handily win a playoff series by himself, against any team. So these should hopefully be some fantastic games! I don’t see how you can’t take the Cavs and the points for game one, as everyone is healthy and rested. Also, the Warriors will have been off for 9 days before the first game, so perhaps there is a rust factor involved as well. PICK: Cavs +7
I would also put a small lean on the Cavs Money Line at +260, as I think it’s entirely possible they can win the game outright.
I would also again Lean on the Over 225.5 I know it’s a gigantic line, but these two teams are scoring at a historic rate this post-season. The Cavs defense isn’t that great, but also… can anyone stop LeBron, Kyrie, and their cadre of 3 point shooters? This should be a high scoring affair.
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YTD: 13-4
You can check out all my picks and predictions in my Who Do I Like? series.
