LeBron James let out a primal scream after his Cleveland Cavaliers (66-32 SU, 48-50 ATS) fended off the Golden State Warriors (80-19 SU, 55-43-1 ATS) in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. There's still a lot of work to go to ultimately make this a big time series, and Game 3 back at the Q almost feels like a must-win.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The total in this series has hit a tremendous low after the clubs combined for just 188 points with the addition of overtime in Game 2. The number has dipped from 203.5 in Game 1 all the way down to 195 in Game 3.
Cleveland is maybe a slightly surprising one-point favorite in this game, though it really should be 2-0 ATS in this series.
INJURY REPORT
We now know that Kyrie Irving's season is over with thanks to a fractured kneecap, but aside from that, neither of these teams are reportedly any worse for wear after a very physical Game 2 in Oakland.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I tried to give it all to my teammates. And they do a great job of giving it back to me. Total team effort. To be back in the same position we were in three days ago and to come back and even the series is big time." – Cleveland forward LeBron James on the importance of winning Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
BETTING TRENDS
- The Cavaliers are 2-4 ATS in their last six home games played here in the playoffs, though it should be noted that they have only played two home games since May 12.
- The Warriors are 24-11 ATS in their last 35 games following an SU loss.
- The OVER is 4-0 in Cleveland's last four home games.
KEY STATS
2: The number of three-point shots which Stephen Curry hit in Game 2 of this series. Clearly, Curry isn't going to go 2-of-15 from beyond the arc and 5-of-23 from the field again in this game, so the Cavaliers need to continue to do a good job of denying him the basketball. Still, if Matthew Dellavedova plays as well defensively in this game as he did on Sunday, it could be another long night for the league's MVP.
51: The number of minutes which LeBron James played on Sunday night. Clearly, James is going to get just a couple short breathers over the course of this series, but there is definitive evidence that he is tiring out late in games. The best player in the world has shot just 22 percent from the field in the second halves and overtimes of this series, and he has to be better than that in clutch time.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Dubs gave up home court advantage, but they're going to get it right back with authority in Game 3.
The narrative these next couple days is going to be about how Cleveland has a defense capable of shutting down the Splash Brothers and how Dellavedova is now the most important man on this team.
That was one game, though. Curry won't shoot 2-of-15 again from three. Draymond Green won't go 45 minutes or so without making a field goal. The Warriors aren't going to miss six free throws unless they get 40 trips to the line.
And when all of that turns around, we'll be talking about another 100-point effort out of Golden State the likes of which we are used to seeing. Can Cleveland get to 100? Certainly not with LeBron shooting 40.3 percent from the field as he has throughout this series.
Golden State 104, Cleveland 94
BookMaker opened the spread for this Tuesday game at Cleveland -1 and a total of 195. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The game between Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers will tip off Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
