NBA Finals Odds and Predictions

TOR Raptors at GS Warriors
TOR Raptors	Game 3	GS Warriors
Bet with 888 Sports   Raptors  (3.00) vs. Warriors (1.42) Via 888sport

For the first time in the nearly 73 years since the NBA was founded, a non-United States based team will partake in the NBA Finals. The Toronto Raptors will look to capture their first NBA title in franchise history, but standing in their way is the back-to-back defending world champion Golden State Warriors.

Predictions

If it wasn’t clear beforehand, it became evidently clear late Saturday night that trading for Kawhi Leonard was a win for the Toronto Raptors. Leonard went head-to-head with the assumed league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and throughout the majority of the six-game series he proved to be the better player. Kawhi will have his hands full with the plethora of talent Golden State can throw at home, and will need his supporting cast to show up throughout the series. Kyle Lowry asserted himself during the Eastern Conference finals, averaging 19/5/5. Yet Lowry may prove to be a liability defensively at times during the Finals, as the slow-footed guard may struggle to keep pace with Steph Curry.

The Warriors have been enjoying the playoffs from the comfort of their own home just as we have, feet up, lounging, and watching the drama unfold before their eyes. When Thursday’s tipoff rolls around Golden State will be ten days removed from their last game action. The off time meant more time to heal for Golden State. The Warriors are likely to get back all-star center DeMarcus Cousins as early as game 1, which is huge for a Golden State team that has lacked a true post presence throughout the playoffs. Cousins should dominate an underwhelming Marc Gasol for Toronto, who averaged just 8.5 points during the Eastern Conference Finals. Prior to his quad injury, Cousins was averaging 16+ points and 8+ rebounds per game.

While Cousins will be a welcome addition to the lineup, it is the other All-Star dealing with injury that this series may hinge on. Kevin Durant has not played since suffering an injury in the Western Conference Finals, and while the team remains optimistic, they’ve also remained bleak on the timetable for his return to the lineup.

KD returning for the Finals would quickly catapult Golden State into huge favorites for the series, giving the Warriors simply too much firepower for Toronto to keep up with. Yet, even without Durant Golden State may still prove be too much for Toronto. Since Durant’s exit from the lineup “Chef Curry” has been cooking, averaging nearly 36 ppg, while Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have also upped their game. The trio of Thompson, Green, and former Final’s MVP Andre Iguodala, present a plethora of defensive options for coach Steve Kerr to throw Kawhi Leonard’s way. Without a supporting cast who can create scoring opportunities on their own, Toronto’s story book season will likely come to a disappointing end.

Series Prediction: Golden State win series 4-2

Odds

Series Outright Victory Via 888sport

• Warriors (1.35)
• Raptors (3.30)

Statistics

Head to Head

Toronto swept Golden State over their two meetings this season. Prior to this year Golden State had gone 8-0 against Toronto in the span of four seasons.

Stats

• Toronto is 4-1 ATS & SU in their last 5 games.
• Toronto is 5-0 SU in their last 5 home games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Toronto’s last 19 games.
• Golden State is 16-4 SU in their last 20 games against Toronto.
• The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State’s last 15 games.
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last five games when Golden State plays in Toronto.

NBA Finals Odds Predictions Page

NBA Finals tips off on May 30 th

It took 73 years, but the NBA Finals will, for the first time, feature an NBA team outside of the United States. The Toronto Raptors have a chance to capture their first ever NBA title in the franchise’s 24 years of existence.

While the Raptors were a pleasant surprise to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals, the team waiting for them on the other end of the court were virtual shoo-ins to come out of the West. The back-to-back NBA Champion Golden State Warriors will look to make it a three- peat this time around, as they take on Toronto in what will be their fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

The NBA Finals is the largest sporting event in the realm of professional basketball. Fans will surely be glued to their televisions to see which team will be crowned NBA Champions. The betting opportunities for hoops fans are endless, so be sure to keep up with our expert tips, opinions, and predictions. The best-of-seven game series tips off on May 30 th and will subside once one team has reached four wins.

NBA Finals Schedule

Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors

The 2019 NBA Finals will begin on May 30 th and run through June 7 th at the very least. The Toronto Raptors own home court advantage during the series, thanks to holding a one game lead in their overall win-loss record over the Golden State Warriors during the regular season with 58 wins to 57 wins.

The Raptors will host the first two games of the series in Toronto before the series bounces to Golden State for games 3 and 4. Jurassic Park will surely be bumping in Toronto if the series reaches a seventh game. The Raptors’ home court advantage secures them the benefit of playing the all so crucial game 7 in their home arena.

• Game 1: Thursday, May 30 th , Golden State at Toronto l 9 pm ET
• Game 2: Sunday, June 2 nd , Golden State at Toronto l 8 pm ET
• Game 3: Wednesday, June 5 th , Toronto at Golden State l 9 pm ET
• Game 4: Friday, June 7 th , Toronto at Golden State l 9 pm ET
• *Game 5: Monday, June 10 th , Golden State at Toronto l 9 pm ET
• *Game 6: Thursday, June 13 th , Toronto at Golden State l 9 pm ET
• *Game 7: Sunday, June 16 th , Golden State at Toronto l 9 pm ET

*- If Necessary

 

How did they get here?

Golden State Warriors – Golden State coasted their way through the regular season, yet still managed to capture the best record in the Western Conference. The defending champs kicked it into high gear once they reached the postseason. Even injuries to two all-star players and prominent pieces of their team, one of which, Kevin Durant, who may be the best player in basketball, didn’t stop the Warriors from torching their way through the best the West had to offer.

The Warriors currently hold a 12-4 record during the post season and are coming off a Western Conference Finals beat down of the Portland Trail Blazers. Golden State swept Portland with an average win margin of nearly ten points per game.

Series by Series Playoff Results

• Golden State Warriors 4 – 2 Los Angeles Clippers
• Golden State Warriors 4 – 2 Houston Rockets
• Golden State Warriors 4 – 0 Portland Trail Blazers

Toronto Raptors – You can’t mention the Toronto Raptors title run without mentioning a certain trade that went down in mid-July. The Raptors acquired star forward Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs in a trade that shocked the league. Whether Kawhi decides to re-up with the Raptors after the season is still up for debate, but there is no debating the positive effects he’s had on this franchise. Leonard led Toronto to their second most regular season wins in franchise history, while putting his name in consideration for league MVP.

Leonard didn’t stop there, as his play ascended once they reached the playoffs. After handling the Orlando Magic with ease in their first playoff series, Leonard willed Toronto past Philadelphia in the following series. Leonard’s 243 points in the series is the most points in a single playoff series over the past 25 years. Leonard and the Raptors then clawed their way back from an 0-2 deficit vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, owners of the league’s best record, in the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series. Thus propelling Toronto to their first NBA Finals appearance in team history.

Series by Series Playoff Results

• Toronto Raptors 4 – 1 Orlando Magic
• Toronto Raptors 4 – 3 Philadelphia 76ers
• Toronto Raptors 4 – 2 Milwaukee Bucks

 

Strong Contenders for the NBA Finals MVP Title

Kawhi Leonard (Toronto) – If the Raptors were to shock the world and win this series, there really isn’t any other logical person in Toronto that this award could go to, well maybe besides Drake. While Toronto is a well-balanced team, Leonard has carried the Raptors over the hump of NBA mediocrity. His expertise on both sides of the court will essentially determine the outcome of this series. He’s already the best player in Raptors history, and if he continues on his recent trend, versus guys like Curry and Durant, he may assert himself as the best player in the world.

Stephen Curry (Golden State) – It’s honestly shocking that Curry hasn’t hoisted a Finals MVP trophy through this point of his illustrious career, though that may change very soon. Since< Kevin Durant went down in game five of the Western Conference semifinals, Curry has regained his role in the offense as the go-to scorer and responded brilliantly. Curry has averaged a whopping 35.8 ppg since Durant’s injury, and with no clear time table for Durant’s return Curry’s tear on the stat sheet should continue in the Finals.

Dark Horse – Kevin Durant (Golden State) – It’s unlikely Durant will play in enough games to garner MVP consideration. KD doesn’t have a timetable to return to the court, and may never suit up during the series. Yet, If Durant were to shock the world, and return not only to the lineup, but to his pre-injury form, it would be hard to argue against Durant as the front-runner for the award. Durant would boost Golden State’s chances of winning the series exponentially, while simultaneously asserting himself as the best player on the likely winning team.