Golden State vs Cleveland Game 1 Preview
My Team's Next Match
Every NBA fan saw this coming before last season even ended: the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers meet for the third consecutive NBA Finals. The Warriors and Cavs set multiple NBA records including the Warriors becoming the first NBA team to win its first 12 playoff games while LeBron James passed Michael Jordan as the all-time playoff scoring leader. This also marks the first time two NBA teams meet in three straight NBA Finals and with the rivalry tied one title apiece, this may be the biggest Finals rematch yet.
| 100% Sign Up Bonus up to $200 |
 |
| |
POINT SPREAD |
MONEYLINE |
OVER/UNDER |
| Cleveland |
+7.0 (-110) |
+245 |
o225.5 (-110) |
| Golden State |
-7.0 (-110) |
-305 |
u225.5 (-110) |
The entire NBA season was like a dress rehearsal for this inevitable clash of superpowers. The Warriors swept the field to make their third straight NBA Finals appearance. The additions of Kevin Durant and Zaza Pachulia paid dividends as they won 67 games and set another NBA record with the most wins in a three-season span. But this won't mean anything if they can't beat the Cavs. Known for their offense, it's their defense that shined in the playoffs with a 99.1 defensive rating and a +16.8 net rating, first in the postseason.
The Cavaliers were one Celtic win away from also going undefeated in the playoffs. James was back in MVP form averaging 32.5 points per contest on 56.6% shooting and a league-leading 35.5 PER. More notably the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Cleveland's role players all played their part helping the King have a smooth ride despite facing flu-like symptoms in the Celtics series. The Cavs led the league in offensive rating (120.7) and pace (97.7) and the additions of Deron Williams and Kyle Korver give the team proven veterans and additional scoring depth.
The Warriors enter the series as slight favourites to win thanks to home court advantage, the addition of former MVP Durant, and the unlikelihood of the Cavs again pulling a comeback. That loss lit a fire in the Warriors and they come with plenty to prove. The Cavs also loaded up and are an even better team than last season. Whether the series is a shootout, a defensive struggle, or somewhere in between, the series may see plenty of back-and-forth.
Cavaliers at Warriors Online Betting
Historically, teams with the homecourt advantage win the NBA Finals 54% of the time but a win in game 1 drives that up to 67%. This seemed like the case last year as the Warriors jumped to a 3-1 series lead after winning the first game. It took a suspension of Draymond Green and the herculean efforts of James and Irving to push the Cavs over. The Warriors are the likelier winners but 3-1 is too hefty. The Cavs at +245 are worth a small shot or just pass.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+245)
PLAY NOW
Betting on the NBA can be an exercise in winning little or losing a lot. To avoid this, the point spread was created. This is where teams are given handicaps to "cover" at an even betting price making betting on either favourite or underdog on even terms. In this series, the +7 on the Cavs mean they can lose by no more than 7 points. If they lose by a smaller margin or win, the bet cashes. On the flipside, the Warriors at -7 need to win by at least 7 points.
Another betting game to consider is the totals or over/under. This is where you bet whether the combined score of both the Warriors and Cavs amount to greater or lesser than the oddsmaker's number: 225.5. This number adjusts depending on where the action is (similar to the point spread).
It doesn't matter who wins the game so long as the totals go over or under depending on your bet. Generally speaking, casual gamblers bet the over but it is best to analyze the line movement to see where the value is. Before placing any bets, it is best to research not just the game but the many sportsbooks available to Canadians.
These books come with their advantages and disadvantages and their prices may differ as well as their prop bets. Each site offers a generous signup bonus with some going as high as $200. This is a boon for new gamblers as they get a leeway for their first bets.
Category : Online Betting News
Tag : cleveland cavaliers
, Golden State Warriors
, kevin durant
, lebron james
, NBA Finals
, steph curry
More articles...
UFC 253 comes packed with fireworks from both inside the octagon and the betting lines as middleweight king Israel Adesanya settles his grudge with the unbeaten destroyer, Paulo Costa. Both fighters are explosive strikers and with ill will all but guaranteeing heated exchanges. Co-headlining are red-hot fighters Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz facing off for the vacant light heavyweight title. Let's break down these fights and see which bets we can cash.
The 2020 Toronto Blue Jays picks for the 2020 season shows just how far they've come just a year after handing the keys over to their young stars. It's thanks to a combination of their continued development plus low-key free agents overperforming. The pleasantly surprising Jays are a nice story, but betting on them in the future is a trickier matter as we dissect their betting odds.
The title of "greatest heavyweight of all time" hangs in the balance when Stipe Miocic meets Daniel Cormier in their trilogy match for the heavyweight title for UFC 252. Betting odds indicate an even matchup although Cormier should be the favourite on this spot. Outside of this epic affair, we have a bevy of juicy matchups including some live underdogs, unmissable prop bets, and two rising contenders who you should parlay.
Please check out our expert picks for the NFL 2020-21 season which is about to start.
Established in 2005!
Must be of legal gambling age in your province.