NBA Finals: Warriors favoured over Cavs to take opening game
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Golden State Warriors continue their pursuit of their first NBA title in 40 years on Thursday, when they play host to Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Finals as six-point favourites in basketball betting with Coral.
The Warriors set the stage for this encounter, featuring the sport’s two biggest stars, when they routed Houston Rockets 104-90 on the road to claim the Western Conference championship series in five games.
Golden State are led by the MVP of this year’s regular season, point guard Stephen Curry, who has been dominant in the post-season, averaging 29.2 points per game.
Curry is also expected to add to his record-setting tally of three-pointers made during an NBA playoff run, after setting the standard by smashing legend Reggie Miller’s previous mark of 58 back in Game 3 of the Warriors’ series against Houston.
Golden State enter Game 1 at Oracle Arena looking for their 47th SU win of the season, includng playoff contests, against just three losses. The Warriors came within one game of Boston Celtics’ record of just one regular season loss, set in 1985/86, and have not lost back-to-back games on their home floor since January 2014.
However, the club has struggled to cover the big point spreads that come along with big expectations, going a dismal 8-15 ATS in their last 23 overall, and 4-8 ATS when favoured by six or more points in basketball betting at Coral.
The Cavaliers make their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2007, led by four-time regular season and twice Finals MVP, Lebron James.
Cleveland have won seven straight SU since losing two of the first three games in the second-round series against Chicago Bulls, and are an impressive 6-1 SU in seven road contests during this year’s post-season.
The club have been stricken by injuries, however with James taking the lead, a number of role players have elevated their game to bring the Cavs to the Finals.
Cleveland is 2-1 SU in their last three contests against the Warriors, ending a six-game SU losing streak at the hands of their Western Conference rivals.
However, it is the Warriors who are pegged as clear favorites to lift the trophy for the first time since 1975, at 4/9 in NBA series betting, while the Cavs trail with 15/8 odds.
