|
Post by Makers on Jun 7, 2016 4:15:06 GMT -5
Warriors looking unbeatable -- again
When the Golden State Warriors returned to Cleveland in January for the first time since clinching the championship there last June, Stephen Curry raised a little stir when he said he hoped the visiting locker room ''still smells a little bit like champagne.''
The way the Warriors have thoroughly thrashed the Cavaliers through two games of the NBA Finals rematch, the MVP could soon be drenching that carpet again.
The Warriors won the first two games of the series by a combined 48 points, exhibiting a toughness and ferocity that was overshadowed by their glitzy offense during a record-setting regular season.
They have beaten LeBron James seven straight times - something no team has done before - and completely outclassed the Cavaliers in every facet of the game. The Cavaliers head home for Games 3 and 4 looking for answers they may not be capable of finding.
''I know the other side is looking forward to coming to our building where they had a lot of success last year,'' said James, who let it be known in January that Curry's comment didn't sit well with him. ''So we've got to bear down.''
Even more troubling for the Cavaliers is that the Warriors have not been the precise offensive machine they were during their 73-win regular season. They have turned the ball over 30 times in the two games and Curry is averaging just 14.5 points per game.
But the Warriors have dominated the series with defense and rebounding, blasting the Cavs on the glass, locking down Kyrie Irving and making James work to get to the rim.
''I just think it's easy to fall in love with our offense,'' Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. ''For the casual fan, the whole year they see the highlights. Our rim protection and perimeter defenders have been so great.''
Andrew Bogut blocked five shots in Game 2 and the Warriors squeezed seven turnovers out of James, who made just 7 of 17 shots. Coach Tyronn Lue has tried a number of different lineups looking for a spark, but has come up empty against a Warriors defense that is equipped to handle anything.
''They were tougher than us and more aggressive,'' Lue said.
For two years now the Warriors have heard criticism that they are just a finesse team, that they are just jump-shooters benefiting from the league's current hands-off rules. That they are a team that wouldn't hold up in the tougher eras of yesteryear against Jordan's Bulls or Bird's Celtics or Magic's Lakers.
But what they've shown in these Finals, in overwhelming the Cavaliers, is that they are so much tougher than some of the ornery old-timers give them credit for.
Two more victories would put the Warriors in the conversation for the best team ever. But that conversation already started in the postgame press conference after their 33-point win in Game 2.
''To say we're better than the Showtime Lakers, how can you say that?'' Draymond Green asked. ''We never played them.''
''We're better than the Showtime Lakers,'' Thompson quipped, a jab at his father Mychal who played on those teams.
The zinger drew big laughs, much like their play is doing to the Finals. They have turned one of the most anticipated matchups in years - Curry vs. LeBron Part II - into a laugher.
They have dismantled the Cavaliers at every turn and now it's uncertain that star forward Kevin Love will be ready for Game 3 on Wednesday after taking a blow to the head in the second quarter of Game 2. He is in the league's concussion protocol.
After the first two games, it looks like the Warriors passed their biggest test in the Western Conference finals when they rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Oklahoma City.
The Thunder gave the Warriors fits with their length and athleticism, and the tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook matched Golden State's intensity like few others could.
Through two games, Cleveland just hasn't measured up. And even James, one of the most cerebral players in the league, is having trouble identifying what the Cavs can do to turn things around.
''It's hard for me to kind of pinpoint what's not working and what could work right now,'' James said. ''Obviously not much is working, especially offensively.''
The Warriors insist that this is not as easy as they're making it look. They point out to whoever will listen that they haven't done anything yet and that this is no time to celebrate.
''It's a trap to think that we've figured things out and that we have the perfect formula to beat Cleveland and they have no chance in the series,'' Curry said. ''That's probably going to be the chatter the next 48 hours, but we have to stay inside our own little bubble and worry about what we're doing.''
They say the series is a long way from over, even if it looks that way right now.
''The hardest part of the series is coming up when we go to Cleveland,'' Thompson said. ''They'll be playing with a sense of desperation, and their fans are going to be really hungry.
|
|
|
Post by Makers on Jun 7, 2016 4:15:34 GMT -5
POINTS SPREADS TIME GSW CLE 06/07 01:28 AM -1 -105 59% 1 -105 41% 06/06 12:33 PM -1 +100 58% 1 -110 42% 06/06 11:14 AM -1 -105 57% 1 -105 44% 06/06 10:33 AM +1 -112 56% -1 +102 44% 06/05 11:37 PM +1 -105 56% -1 -105 44% 06/05 10:55 PM +1 -108 62% -1 -102 38% 06/05 10:37 PM -110 60% -110 40% 06/05 10:20 PM +1 -110 94% -1 -110 6%
|
|
|
Post by Makers on Jun 8, 2016 4:37:04 GMT -5
NBA Finals Game 3 betting preview and odds: Warriors at Cavaliers
The Golden State Warriors won the first two games of the NBA Finals by an average of 24 points, leaving the host Cleveland Cavaliers facing a dire situation entering Wednesday's Game 3. Not only has Cleveland been annihilated in the first two contests but power forward Kevin Love is listed as questionable due to a concussion suffered during Sunday's 110-77 loss.
Love's availability will be decided on Wednesday but what is more certain is that the Cavaliers - including forward LeBron James - need to step up their play after their embarrassing showing on Sunday. "We're still here and we have a chance to turn this series around if we come in and do what we need to do both offensively and defensively," James told reporters. "Internally, we have to figure out how we can be better. We have to figure out how we can help one another. We definitely have to figure out how we can get more guys involved." One more victory will allow the Warriors to supplant the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (87 wins) for the most overall wins in a season but point guard Stephen Curry made it clear his team isn't about to relax with a 2-0 series lead. "There's no point in celebrating or jumping up and down and saying, 'Look at us,'" Curry told reporters. "We're two games away from winning a championship. We still have to go out and get the job done. It's a trap to think that we've figured things out and that we have the perfect formula to beat Cleveland and they have no chance in the series."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC
LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as one-point favorites at home for Game 3 despite their awful performance in Games 1 and 2 in Golden State. The public jumped all over the Warriors and by Monday afternoon the line had jumped the fence and the Dubs were favored at most books. The public action took another turn and the line began to creep back toward the Cavs on Tuesday afternoon - by Tuesday evening the line had settled in as a Pick. There's no telling which way the line will turn on gameday. Keep your eyes on the line history here.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (87-14, 58-41-2 ATS, 52-48-1 O/U): Do-it-all forward Draymond Green added knockdown 3-point shooter to his resume in Game 2 as he made five 3-pointers while contributing 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists and playing his typical sturdy defense. "The way they're guarding us, Draymond's open a lot," Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "So he becomes our safety valve when there's pressure. He becomes an open shooter when they're jumping out at Steph or Klay (Thompson), so it's a good situation for him." Curry and Thompson each made four 3-pointers in Game 2 but neither player has produced a high-scoring game with Curry averaging 14.5 points and Thompson just 13.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (69-29, 46-49-3 ATS, 48-50 O/U): Love didn't practice on Tuesday and must clear the concussion protocol before he can play but James' comments made it sound like Cleveland already knows Love is unlikely to be on the floor. "It's going to be the next man up. We're down 0-2, and we can't afford to look and say, 'Wow, Kev's not playing. What are we going to do?'" James told reporters after practice. "It's next man up, because it's a must-win for us. So obviously his health is very important, but in the situation we're in now, we've got to stay confident. And whoever Coach decides to give the nod to has got to be ready to go, and everybody else has to step up." If Love sits out, veteran shooter Channing Frye will likely play a larger role and little-used Timofey Mozgov will be a bigger part of the rotation.
TRENDS:
* Warriors are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. * Cavaliers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games. * Under is 6-0 in Warriors last 6 vs. Eastern Conference. * Over is 5-0 in Cavaliers last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. * Warriors are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
COVERS CONSENSUS: At the time of publication of this preview the Warriors were picking up 51 percent of the wagers on Covers and Over was grabbing 54 percent of the action. Click here for full up-to-date consensus data.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 8, 2016 5:47:26 GMT -5
Warriors go for 3-0 lead
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (87-14) at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (69-29)
NBA Finals Tip-off: Wednesday, 9:05 p.m. ET Line: Golden State -1.5, Total: 206
The Warriors will be looking to take a 3-0 series lead when they face the Cavaliers in Game 3 on Wednesday.
This series has not been as competitive as people thought it would be, as Golden State won the first two games by a combined 48 points. The Warriors shot 49.4% from the field in Game 1 and 54.3% in Game 2 and they also held the Cavaliers to under 40.0% shooting from the field in each of those games.
If Cleveland is going to claw its way back into this series then the team is going to have to be a lot better on both ends of the floor. The hope for the Cavaliers is that the shift back to Quicken Loans Arena will give them some more energy. This Game 3 is ultimately a do-or-die, as the Cavaliers are not going to win two more games at Oracle Arena.
One trend that stands out when looking into this game is that the Warriors are 20-8 ATS versus teams that are making 36% or more of their three point attempts this season. They’re also facing a Cavaliers team that is 15-38 ATS in home games off of a road loss where the team scored less than 80 points since 1996 and 0-7 ATS after scoring 85 points or less this season. Cleveland is, however, an impressive 13-4 ATS after allowing 100 points or more in two straight games this season.
One major injury to point out is that PF Kevin Love (Concussion) is questionable for this one. He was hit in the head by an elbow in Game 2 and will need to clear the NBA’s concussion protocol if he is going to play in this one.
The Warriors are up 2-0 in this series and really cruised in both of their home games against this Cavs team. They will have a much harder time winning in Cleveland. If Golden State is going to take one or both of these road games then the team will need PG Stephen Curry (24.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.5 SPG in playoffs) and SG Klay Thompson (24.8 PPG, 1.1 SPG in playoffs) to step it up.
Curry and Thompson combined for just 20 points in Game 1 and 35 points in Game 2. Role players do, however, tend to play worse on the road and that means that the Warriors will likely need the “splash brothers” to go off in this one. They should have no trouble doing that, as Curry is shooting 41.0% from the outside in the postseason and Thompson is shooting an absurd 44.6% from deep.
PF Draymond Green (15.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.9 BPG, 1.7 SPG in playoffs) will need to continue to play well for Golden State. He had 28 points in Game 2 and continues to play well on both ends of the floor. If he can keep playing lockdown defense then what he does on offense will just be an added bonus. The Warriors have also gotten tremendous play from their bench and it’d be huge if that remains the case moving forward.
The Cavaliers are getting embarrassed in this series and SF LeBron James (24.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.3 SPG in playoffs) will need to be a lot better for his team. James has turned the ball over 11 times in this series and he is just 16-for-38 from the floor as well. Cleveland needs him to be more aggressive going to the basket, as he has the ability to draw fouls whenever he wants. He also must be a lot more careful with the ball, as the Warriors make teams pay off of turnovers.
James does need some help from his teammates and PG Kyrie Irving (23.5 PPG, 4.8 APG, 1.7 SPG in playoffs) and PF Kevin Love (16.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG in playoffs) have not been providing that. Irving had just 10 points on 5-for-14 shooting in Game 2 and has been horrible defensively. He needs to find a way to be more efficient on offense, but he also needs to make sure he holds his own on the defensive end.
Love, meanwhile, will need to be a lot better if he does end up playing in Game 3. He is just 9-for-24 from the floor in this series and has been exposed defensively as well. The Cavaliers need him to start knocking down some threes when he is healthy.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 8, 2016 5:50:13 GMT -5
NBA Finals Game 3 Preview By Tony Mejia
NBA Finals - Game 3 - Warriors lead 2-0 Cleveland at Golden State (-1/206.5), 9:00 p.m. ET - ABC
We’ve reached the point in the NBA Finals where all clichés apply.
Since the favorite won both home games, Game 3 is a must-win for the team returning home to lick their wounds after being outscored by an average of 107-83. The old playoff adage is that a series doesn’t start unless the home team loses, but since a 3-0 deficit is basically insurmountable, the Cavaliers’ chances are effectively over if they don’t win.
Because the venue change favors Cleveland and LeBron James is involved, oddsmakers are giving the Eastern Conference champs the benefit of the doubt by calling this a pick’em, respecting the homecourt edge in spite of what we’ve seen transpire to date. After all, Golden State has won the first two games by only 48 points thus far, an NBA record.
There’s an injury concern too, since forward Kevin Love must clear the NBA’s concussion protocol. According to ESPN, he’s confident he’ll be able to play, but that won’t be official until closer to tip-off.
If Love can’t go, 7-foot center Timofey Mozgov, previously banished to the end of the bench for most of the postseason, is expected to have a larger role. While everything tangible seems to favor the Warriors, trends and the expectation that the Cavs will be able to atone for a dismal 110-77 Game 2 loss do fuel faith in the Cavs, especially since Golden State has historically been a letdown in this spot.
"The Warriors have dominated through the first two games of the NBA Finals, but Golden State has struggled in Game 3's of the playoffs the last two seasons. This postseason, the defending champions lost to the Rockets by one point in Game 3 of the opening round and 12 points of Game 3 in the second round to the Blazers," NBA expert Kevin Rogers said. "Granted, Stephen Curry missed both those games due to injury, but he played in the Game 3 blowout loss of the Western Conference Finals at Oklahoma City.
"In the role of a road favorite, the Warriors are 0-6 ATS since the start of the 2015 playoffs in Game 3's, which includes a setback in last season's NBA Finals at Cleveland. However, if the Warriors get flipped to a road underdog on Wednesday, the champs have been successful as Golden State rolled Houston in Game 3 of last season's Western Conference Finals, 115-80 in their only 'dog opportunity in this situation.”
We’ll see which way the money moves the line, but Golden State is well aware of their struggles away from Oakland, sporting a 3-4 record (straight up and against the spread) in road games this postseason. Their last opportunity in this spot came in that must-win Game 6 comeback conquest at Oklahoma City, so they’re looking to build off that performance. Emotional leader Draymond Green has already said it’s on him to have his teammates ready to play. For the Cavs, it’s all on the King, who has led his team to a perfect 7-0 mark in Cleveland these playoffs, bringing their record to 40-8 (.800) on the season.
The beauty of the NBA Finals is that you get to hear a variety of voices commenting about the show unfolding in front of them. Everyone from Magic Johnson to Larry King to Jerry West has chimed in, as has Phil Jackson, who chose to put a comeback bid squarely on James’ shoulders while sharing his recollections of his top guy being put through the ringer the way James has been over the past few days.
"It did something to Michael Jordan," Jackson said of criticism directed at him after going down 2-0 in the 1993 Eastern Conference finals. "You learned something about pulling the cape of Superman. It's not a good idea. He was a man possessed after that. I think it's going to take something for LeBron to step into that. Put his cape on and say, 'I'm going to have to take over a lot of this series, doing the things beyond my level or my normal capacity.' He's been a team player up until this point but I think he's going to have to step beyond that."
So, to recap, the most decorated head coach in NBA history thinks LeBron needs to break character and become more aggressive in order to get his team back in the series. Go out and get your 50 points, LeBron. That’s what M.J. would’ve done.
"What does that actually mean?" James responded, when told of the ‘possessed’ advice. "I think, for me to go out and be who I am, and play as true to the game and as hard as I can, and try to lead this team as who I am. I’m not anybody else. I’m not Michael, I’m not (Muhammad) Ali, I’m not nobody else that’s done so many great things for sport. I am who I am, and if I’m able to go out and put together a game like that -- it wasn’t because I was possessed. It’s because I worked on my craft all season long, and that’s the result of it. Phil’s a great coach. Mike’s a great player. But I am who I am."
James has always been the ultimate team player, by far more Magic than Jordan. At his most effective, he liberates teammates to produce by creating opportunities with the attention he commands and his exceptional on-court IQ and passing skills. He’s dished out nine assists in each of the first two games and should’ve been in double-digits if teammates had knocked down more shots. Kyrie Irving is shooting 33 percent despite averaging 18 points per game, which is a drastic drop-off from what he did against the Eastern Conference these playoffs, posting a shooting clip of 48 percent and 23.5 points per game. Against Toronto, he averaged 25.3 points at home, shooting 57 percent. Cleveland is 6-1 this postseason when J.R. Smith scores in double-figures, but he’s scored a total of eight points in these Finals, shooting 2-for-7 from 3-point range.
Jackson might have meant well with his advice, but he’s dead wrong. James is going to need Irving and Smith to make shots so that his efficient game can flourish without him trying to force the action. In the 21st-century NBA, one player, not even Jordan, can defeat a team simply by becoming possessed. Especially not Golden State, which has taken the collective approach to the brink of becoming the winningest single-season team of all-time counting regular-season and playoffs.
The Warriors would be surpassing Jackson’s 1995-96 Bulls, who went 87-13 in winning it all two decades ago. Golden State comes into Game 3 of the NBA Finals at 87-14. It comes in having found its defensive chops, reminding everyone that there are two sides to its show. On that side of the ball, they’ve dominated of late, particularly in the second half of their last five games.
We’ll see if the Cavs believe it’s still best to try and run with the Warriors at an accelerated pace or attempt to slow things down and disrupt their rhythm, a formula that worked some last year.
The first two games in this series easily went ‘under’ the number and oddsmakers opened Game 3’s total at 206 ½. NBA Totals Expert Chris David doesn’t believe we’ll see a change in Cleveland.
"I still believe the value is with the ‘under’ and I’m very surprised the total isn’t lower. These teams have now played 10 times over the last two seasons and the ‘under’ has gone 6-3-1 in those games," said David. "It’s become very apparent that Cleveland doesn’t have the scheme or manpower to score on Golden State and believing that will change at home probably could be wishful thinking. Even though the Warriors have surrendered 112.5 PPG on the road in this year’s playoffs, the Cavs haven’t proven they could come close to those numbers for this particular matchup.
"Cleveland is averaging 90.7 PPG in its last 10 against Golden State, which includes the 89 and 77-point effort in this series. I’m well aware that Cleveland has played better at home in the playoffs, especially offensively (111 PPG) but the overused cliché of 'styles makes fights' fits perfectly in this series. In last year’s finals, the totals ranged from 193 ½ to 203 ½ and I’m not sure why we aren’t seeing similar numbers this summer. With all that being said, I’m buying the ‘under’ in Game 3 (206 ½) and I would also lean to Golden State’s team total ‘under’ of 103 ½."
The Cavs need to stop giving up easy buckets and ensure they make the Warriors work at both ends. Whether they go big or small, Cleveland has to find a flow that has eluded it. We’ll see if returning home helps the Eastern Conference champs regain their rhythm.
Currently, we’re watching James fail in another NBA Finals, but oddsmakers aren’t sold this is over yet. Curry, the unanimous MVP, hasn’t even played well in the series and has admitted his knee needs rest. Green has had issues with his energy level on the road, which has dragged down teammates. Intrigue remains in spite of Sunday’s massacre. Game 3 will either end the series or get it started again.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 10, 2016 5:17:34 GMT -5
NBA notebook: Love returns to practice By The Sports Xchange
Kevin Love was back on the practice floor Thursday as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepared for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Love is under the NBA concussion protocol and was cleared for non-contact basketball activities. How he responds to the workout will be a crucial factor in whether or not he is cleared to play on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. That decision won't come down until sometime on Friday. Love was injured in Game 2 when he received an elbow in the back of his head from Warriors forward Harrison Barnes. He sat out Wednesday's Game 3 and the Cavaliers rolled to a 120-90 victory to cut Golden State's lead to 2-1.
--John Calipari endorsed forward Jamal Murray as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The Kentucky coach backed up Murray's bold declaration last week, when Murray said. "I'm the best player in the draft." The 6-foot-4 Murray was a third-team All-American in his only season in Lexington. He averaged 20 points and shot 40.8 percent from 3-point range. Calipari said the Philadelphia 76ers should look at Murray with the top pick in the draft. LSU freshman Ben Simmons and Duke freshman Brandon Ingram are projected as the first two picks in the draft. Villanova point guard Kris Dunn and Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield are expected to be lottery picks as is Murray, who would be the fourth No. 1 pick coached by Calipari at Kentucky.
--The Milwaukee Bucks hired Justin Zanik as assistant general manager, the club announced. Zanik, 41, spent the past three seasons as assistant GM of the Utah Jazz and oversaw their salary cap and international scouting and helped with contract negotiations. With the Bucks, he will participate in all areas of day-to-day basketball operations
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 10, 2016 5:18:21 GMT -5
NBA Finals Game 4 betting preview and odds: Warriors at Cavaliers
Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-1.5, 206.5)
The Cleveland Cavaliers came home and completely changed the tone of the series in a dominating Game 3 performance and have a chance to even things up at two wins apiece when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday. The Cavaliers have a decision to make in regards to power forward Kevin Love, who sat out the previous game with a concussion and watched his team’s defense improve.
The absence of Love allowed Cleveland to go to a smaller lineup with LeBron James starting at power forward and Richard Jefferson sliding into the first unit, which solved some of the matchup problems the team was having with Warriors power forward Draymond Green in the first two games. “We definitely need him back," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters of Love, though he would not commit to returning the former star to the starting lineup. "We miss his rebounding. We miss his post presence. We miss his 3-point shooting. So we definitely want him back, but he has to take the steps necessary to get himself back.” Golden State won the first two games by a combined 48 points despite reigning two-time MVP Steph Curry not playing up to his usual standards, and another sub-par effort in the Game 3 loss brought his struggles under the microscope. “I stick to my preparation and my mental strategy of staying within myself to get myself out of a hole, and not panicking and not over-complicating things and not trying to psych myself out,” Curry told reporters. “There’s a reason I have confidence out there, and it’s about how I prepare for games.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC
LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as two-point favorites at home for Game 4 following their very impressive victory Wednesday. By Thursday morning the line settled down a 1/2 point to -1.5. The total opened at 206.5 and also dropped a 1/2 point by Thursday morning to 206.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (87-15, 58-42-2 ATS, 53-48-1 O/U): Coach Steve Kerr called his team “soft” after Game 3, and the players seemed to agree with their coach when they spoke to the media the following day. “Because we were,” Curry responded when asked about the “soft” label. “They were more physical, they were more purposeful about what they were doing and it took us probably a quarter and a half to respond, and by that time it’s too late. You’re down 33-14 on the road in the finals, you’re not going to win many games with that kind of deficit.” Golden State shot 54.3 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle 52-47 in a 110-77 Game 2 win but slumped to 42.1 percent from the field while getting crushed 60-41 on the glass in Game 3.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (70-29, 47-49-3 ATS, 49-50 O/U): Cleveland was in desperation mode going into Game 3 and realizes that it needs to maintain that sense of urgency on Friday. “It's the same,” James told reporters. “It's the same mindset. We can't afford to go down 3-1 and go into their building and give them confidence going back. So it's a do-or-die game for us still.” The Cavaliers got a big boost in Game 3 from point guard Kyrie Irving, who outscored (30-29), collected more assists (eight to four) and committed far fewer turnovers (eight to two) than the Warriors’ “Splash Brothers” combination of Curry and Klay Thompson.
TRENDS:
* Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 NBA Championship games. * Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games. * Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. * Over is 6-0 in Cavaliers last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. * Warriors are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
CONSENSUS: Early Consensus data is showing 59 percent of the public is siding with the Cavaliers as home favorites in Game 4. As for the total, Over is grabbing 68 percent of the action.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 10, 2016 6:27:12 GMT -5
NBA
Cleveland-Golden State (GSt 2-1) Warriors won seven of last eight games with Cleveland, beating Cavaliers in six games in LY's Finals; Warriors are 3-5 on road in playoffs, with at least one road loss in each series- they're 3-1 in last four games in Cleveland, winning by 34-8-21 points. Cavaliers are 13-4 in playoffs, 8-0 at home. Cavs made 12-25 on arc in Game 3, had 17 offensive boards and shot 53% from floor. Four of last five Golden State games, three of last four Cavalier games stayed under the total. Curry/Thompson were combined 4-16 on arc in Game 3.
Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 26-18, Over: 13-31 Second round: Favorites: 13-8, over: 12-9 Conference final: Favorites: 7-6, over: 5-7-1 Final: Favorites: 3-0, Over: 1-2
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 10, 2016 6:27:33 GMT -5
StatFox Super Situations
NBA | GOLDEN STATE at CLEVELAND Play Under - All teams where the total is 200 to 209.5 with a winning record on the season playing another winning team, on Friday nights 248-157 since 1997. ( 61.2% | 75.3 units ) 28-22 this year. ( 56.0% | 3.8 units )
NBA | GOLDEN STATE at CLEVELAND Play On - Home teams vs. the money line (CLEVELAND) after beating the spread by 36 or more points total in their last five games against opponent after going under the total by 42 or more points total in their last seven games 186-81 since 1997. ( 69.7% | 63.1 units ) 5-2 this year. ( 71.4% | 2.3 units )
NBA | GOLDEN STATE at CLEVELAND Play Under - Road teams where the first half total is 100.5 to 105 very good shooting team - shooting >=48% on the season 197-117 since 1997. ( 62.7% | 68.3 units ) 14-8 this year. ( 63.6% | 5.2 units )
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 11, 2016 7:52:44 GMT -5
NBA
Next basketball game is Sunday night.
Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 26-18, Over: 13-31 Second round: Favorites: 13-8, over: 12-9 Conference final: Favorites: 7-6, over: 5-7-1 Final: Favorites: 3-1, Over: 1-3
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 12, 2016 7:19:05 GMT -5
'NBA Finals'
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors June 13, 9:00 EST
Golden State Warriors behind Curry's 38 points and Klay Thompson chipping in 25 took a commanding 3-1 series lead Friday evening defeated Cavaliers 108-97 at the 'Q'.
Returning to Oakland, home-court is certainly something the defending Champions can tap into. Warriors were 39-2 (22-19 ATS) at home in regular season netting 116.3 points/game and enter this contest 11-1 (10-2 ATS) on Oracle Arena hardwood in second season dropping 111.3 per/contest while holding opponents to just 96.3 points/game. Matching that, Warriors are 10-4 (9-5 ATS) vs Cavaliers since LeBron returned to Cleveland including 6-1 (5-2 ATS) right here in Oakland.
Sportsbooks have given the nod to Golden State opening Warriors 7 point home favorite. Well to note, Warriors have thrived at the betting window during these playoffs as 7 to 9.5 point home chalk posting a profitable 7-1 record
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 12, 2016 7:19:34 GMT -5
NBA
Cleveland-Golden State (GSt 3-1) Golden State is 0-4 in Game 3's in playoffs this spring, 15-2 in all the other games. Warriors went 17-36 on arc in Game 4 win which forces Cleveland to win last three games in series with two of the three in Oakland. Golden State won eight of last nine games with Cleveland, beating Cavaliers in six games in LY's Finals; Cavaliers are 13-5 in playoffs, 5-4 on road. Five of last six Golden State games, four of last five Cavalier games stayed under the total. Doubt that Cavs are strong enough defensively to beat Warriors three games in a row.
In the playoffs this spring, under is 50-31-1
Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 26-18, Over: 13-31 Second round: Favorites: 13-8, over: 12-9 Conference final: Favorites: 7-6, over: 5-7-1 Final: Favorites: 3-1, Over: 1-3
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 13, 2016 5:21:47 GMT -5
NBA Finals Game 5 betting preview and odds: Cavaliers at Warriors
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-5.5, 204.5)
The Golden State Warriors are attempting to win their second straight NBA championship on Monday but will have to play Game 5 without suspended forward Draymond Green. The Warriors hold a 3-1 series lead over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals but Green won't be inside the arena after the NBA issued a flagrant 1 foul on Sunday for a Game 4 incident in which he swung and hit Cleveland forward LeBron James in the groin.
Green is forced to sit out because it is his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason and coach Steve Kerr didn't publicly say who would start in his place and he also sidestepped a question regarding whether he was disappointed in Green. "That's just something that stays within the team. It's not anything I'm going to comment on," Kerr told reporters at Sunday's press conference. "I'm disappointed for him that he can't play in a big game. But the ruling has been made, and we've got to move on." No team has ever recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to win the NBA Finals and the Cavaliers lost the first two games of the series at Oracle Arena by an average of 24 points and know it will take a supreme effort to force a Game 6. "We've already got to take a flight back home anyways, so we might as well come home with a win and play on our home floor again," James told reporters. "Being a confident bunch we feel like the chips have been stacked up against us all year anyway."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC
LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened up as 7.5-point favorites at home for Game 5 but the public felt that a desperate Cavaliers club would keep the game close - the line was dropped to -6.5. On Sunday afternoon it was announce that Draymond Green would be suspended for the next contest and the line was dropped another full point to -5.5. The total opened up at 206 and was dropped down to 204.5 on Sunday morning.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (70-30, 47-50-3 ATS, 49-51 O/U): James is averaging 24.8 points, 11 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the series but those numbers are being overshadowed by a truly ugly stat - an average of 5.8 turnovers. "Some of them were attack turnovers," James said of his second seven-miscue contest of the series in Game 4. "Trying to squeeze the ball into tight places as a quarterback would, and I'm OK with those. But some of those that are careless, I'm not OK with that." Point guard Kyrie Irving had 34 points in Game 4 for his second consecutive 30-point performance and he is averaging 25 points in the series.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (88-15, 59-42-2 ATS, 53-49-1 O/U): Two-time MVP Stephen Curry broke out of a three-game slumber in a big way with 38 points and seven 3-pointers in the 108-97 victory in Game 4. Curry averaged just 16 points in the first three games and didn't even have a 20-point outing before regaining his form and setting the tone for the road victory. "He's Steph Curry. He's the MVP for a reason," Kerr told reporters. "He doesn't have the size and the strength to dominate a game physically, so he has to dominate with his skill, and that's not an easy thing to do because your shot sometimes isn't going to go in."
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 NBA Championship games. * Warriors are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games. * Under is 7-1 in Warriors last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. * Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Golden State.
CONSENSUS: 64 percent are picking the Warriors to close out the season and cover the points in Game 5. As for the total, 68 percent are on the Over.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 13, 2016 5:23:06 GMT -5
'NBA Finals'
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors June 13, 9:00 EST
Golden State Warriors behind Curry's 38 points and Klay Thompson chipping in 25 took a commanding 3-1 series lead Friday evening defeated Cavaliers 108-97 at the 'Q'.
Returning to Oakland, home-court is certainly something the defending Champions can tap into. Warriors were 39-2 (22-19 ATS) at home in regular season netting 116.3 points/game and enter this contest 11-1 (10-2 ATS) on Oracle Arena hardwood in second season dropping 111.3 per/contest while holding opponents to just 96.3 points/game. Matching that, Warriors are 10-4 (9-5 ATS) vs Cavaliers since LeBron returned to Cleveland including 6-1 (5-2 ATS) right here in Oakland.
Sportsbooks have given the nod to Golden State opening Warriors 7 point home favorite. Well to note, Warriors have thrived at the betting window during these playoffs as 7 to 9.5 point home chalk posting a profitable 7-1 record.
|
|
|
Post by Gooba on Jun 13, 2016 5:26:39 GMT -5
StatFox Super Situations
NBA | CLEVELAND at GOLDEN STATE Play Under - All teams where the total is 200 to 209.5 revenging a loss vs opponent against opponent off an upset win of 10 points or more as a road underdog 32-10 over the last 5 seasons. ( 76.2% | 21.0 units ) 3-2 this year. ( 60.0% | 0.8 units )
NBA | CLEVELAND at GOLDEN STATE Play On - Any team vs the money line (CLEVELAND) off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, with a winning record on the season 244-126 over the last 5 seasons. ( 65.9% | 77.5 units ) 47-23 this year. ( 67.1% | 16.3 units )
NBA | CLEVELAND at GOLDEN STATE Play Under - Home teams where the first half total is 100.5 to 105.5 after having covered 4 of their last 5 against the spread, a top-level team (>=75%) playing a team with a winning record 32-10 since 1997. ( 76.2% | 21.0 units ) 1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.1 units )
|
|