NBA Finals Shift To California Tied At 1-1

With the Toronto Raptors in downright torrid form heading into the NBA Finals the Golden State Warriors are likely pleased to split the first two games of the series. Not that they’ve been a monster team at home this year but for better or worse the series now shifts to Oracle Arena for Games 3 and 4. After a decisive 118-109 win by the Raptors in Game 1 the Warriors prevailed 109-104 in Game 2 and thus the series is tied heading in to the upcoming pair of games at Golden State.

The Warriors got a boost from DeMarcus Cousins in Sunday’s win–the mercurial former Sacramento King played 28 minutes scoring 11 points and adding 10 boards and six assists. Maybe DeMarcus is better suited as a ‘sixth man’? At any rate, that’s a solid night at the office on a huge state for the oft maligned Cousins. They may need a boost again for Game 3 as the Warriors have several injury concerns. Klay Thompson left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter complaining of ‘muscle tightness’. He’s listed as ‘questionable’ for Game 3. Thompson had a MRI on Monday but as of 9:00 PM Eastern Monday night the results were not known. For his part, he says he’s ‘confident’ that he’ll be available for Wednesday’s contest.

The other big injury issue is the status of scoring machine Kevin Durant. He’s listed as ‘questionable’ for this game as well though the word on the street is that he’s more likely to return for Friday’s Game 4. In theory, Thompson’s status could have something to do with Durant’s return timetable. There’s also a prevailing wisdom that no matter when he returns he’ll play fewer minutes and take a role coming off the bench. That’s a nasty guy to roll out with the reserves to be sure.

Toronto doesn’t have any significant injury concerns. Their question is the same as it has been during the entire playoffs–will Kawhi Leonard get enough help? You can almost pencil Leonard in for a monster night at this point. In Sunday’s Game 2 loss he scored 34 points with 14 rebounds and 3 assists. He can’t do it alone, however, and particularly against a team with the experience and depth of the Warriors.

Those are the plotlines for Game 3 and now let’s turn to the NBA betting odds. It’s hard not to bet against Golden State given their miserable performance at the betting window this season. The Warriors may very well win this series and get the ‘three-peat’. In the process, they may also earn another more dubious title–the worst team in the NBA for bettors. Currently, Golden State ranks #29 in the league on a per unit basis having lost -17.5 units since the beginning of the regular season. For a team that is 70-30 SU that is remarkable. Despite being 40 games over .500 SU they’re 12 games *under* .500 ATS at 43-55-2. Toronto is no great shakes against the number either (49-51-2 for -7.1 units) but there’s no bigger ‘public’ team in the NBA than Golden State.

BET TORONTO RAPTORS +6 OVER GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

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