NBA Finals Odds 2019: Series tied 1-1 going back to Golden State

The 2019 NBA Finals Odds opened with the Warriors as -320 favorites, with the Raptors being +260 underdogs.

In Game 1 the Raptors did what many experts have thought to be the one thing you never do with the Warriors - RUN. Yet they shot 51% from the field, 39% from 3, the defence was incredible at running Steph and Klay off the three point line as much as possible, and behind an epic 32 point performance from Pascal Siakam, Toronto won 118-109.

In game 2 the game plan remained the same for Raptors, however, the hot shooting from game 1 did not sustain. Golden State shot almost identical percentages in both games and scored an identical 109 points in both games but the Raptors brought a knife to a gun fight in game 2 shooting 37% from the field and 29% from 3.

After jumping out to a double digit lead in the first half, the Warriors cut it to 5 by halftime, and then went on an 18-0 run to start the 2nd Half as the Raptors didnt score for the first five and a half minutes of the 3rd quarter.

The Warriors held off a late run, with the aid of a clutch Andre Iguodala three pointer. It was the scrappy win that Champions pull out - But did the Warriors suffer another huge loss?

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:

NBA FINALS

Warriors hurting?

Klay Thompson (hamstring pull) and Kevan Looney (chest contusion) both left game 2, making the next few days very interesting as the Warriors now have two hall of fame players potentially out for game 3 and perhaps even longer as there is still no word on the status of Kevin Durant.

SO NBA FINALS BETTING ODDS MAY FLUCTUATE UNTIL VEGAS LEARNS MORE ABOUT KLAY AND KD'S AVAILABILITY

Speaking of unknowns, we have seen the Raptors do this feast or famine act in every series thus far this postseason, where it feels like everything goes in when they are rolling, and nothing falls when they struggle, and there's no way to gauge which Toronto team will show up on the offensive end.

The reason the have made the NBA Finals is their number 1 rated defense which seems to show up every night. 

Being that Golden State is the number 1 rated offense, makes this truly the most intriguing match up, but not if Steph Curry doesn't have his fellow splash brother OR the two time reigning NBA Finals MVP.

GAME 3 Opening Lines and thoughts

The Warriors have opened as -5.5 favorites on BET365 which indicates that perhaps they believe that Klay Thompson will play and Kevin Durant will remain out.

The Series Lines on William Hill has Golden State at -286 and Toronto at +225

But watching the way Klay left the court and walked back to the locker room, and understanding the nature of hamstrings, it would be very bold to assume that Klay will be fine for Wednesday. If it's a legitimate hamstring pull, Thompson will be out for the rest of the NBA Finals.

It wouldn't be surprising if this line changes or is even taken off the board over the next 48 hours as more information becomes available. But should this remain the line, how should we approach the number.

The Raptors are 3-5 against the spread on the road this season. The Warriors are 3-5 against the spread at home this season, so neither team, from a betting perspective has been a profitable play. That being said, the Raptors defense is something that can reliably travel. And if it materializes that Klay Thompson plays and starts, conventional wisdom suggests that he will be less than 100%. The Raptors, having only to try and lock down 1 Splash Brother may be able to drag the game down into the mud and play aclose game

Furthermore, Thompson's elite defense will also be compromised.

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green can draw on their experience of having played playoff games at Oracle, whilst members of the San Antonio Spurs. 

It is possible that they shoot as poorly as they did in game 2? Yes.

But with a more strategic approach that involves less pace, and more halfcourt possessions, winning the rebounding battle, which they are expected to do, and smothering Steph Curry, there is a formula to keep this game tight and perhaps even steal game 3.

PICK: RAPTORS +5.5 (-110) on BET365

Initial reports suggest that IF Kevin Durant can return this series, Game 4 would be the earliest. Durant's return would result in a seismic line shift towards the Warriors. But we exist in an unprecedented moment in NBA Finals history where there is more that is unknown than known

You can follow me on twitter @zahir_gilani

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : nba , nba betting , NBA Finals , NBA Finals Odds , NBA Finals Picks , nba picks , NBA Playoff odds

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