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The Warriors embarrassed the Cavaliers every possible way in Game 1. The worst thing about the 114-89 defeat was the fact that Golden State’s superstars didn’t even show up and they still won the game by 15 points. Will the Eastern Conference champs show up this time around and actually put forth a challenge, or will Game 2 be yet another walk in the park for the defending champs?
NBA Finals Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5
Golden State Warriors -6.5
Over/Under 207
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Dubs 104-89 Game 1 win moved them to 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS the last 10 times they battled the Cavaliers. The under has cashed at a 6-3-1 clip in those games with an average combined score of 196.9 points per game put on the board.
While the total in Game 2 has fallen just a bit, linemakers didn’t move it enough to suggest they think these teams will routinely play to low scorers.
The home win and cover moved the Warriors to 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS in their 11 home playoff games.
The Cavaliers have gone off the board as underdogs six times this season. They’re 3-3 SU but 4-2 ATS in those contests. They have however failed to cover the closing number each of the last two times.
KEY MATCHUP
Putting LeBron James on Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in Game 1 certainly took each of them out of their games, but it allowed the Warriors role players to take advantage.
Shaun Livingston went for a team-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Andre Iguodala went for 12 points and knocked down two of his four shots from long range. Harrison Barnes went for 13 on 6-of-10 shooting. Heck, even Leandro Barbosa got into the mix with 11 points by draining all five of his shots.
Sure, Golden State only made nine of its 27 overall shots from long range, but was it worth it? LBJ looked gassed in the fourth, so there is no way I foresee Tyronn Lue utilizing this plan of attack once again. If he does, he’s clueless.
Instead, I fully expect him to unleash his star player at the offensive end to dominate scoring and pass the ball only when needed. The big three all got theirs, but it wasn’t nearly enough. There’s no reason LeBron should only be taking 20 shots in an NBA Finals game. He should be putting up 30+ and punishing the Warriors stiffs at the rack.
Hopefully he takes on more of a killer instinct in Game 2. If not, Cleveland will head back home in an 0-2 hole.
LIVE BETTING SCENARIO
The shot attempts were there in Game 1 with both teams combining for 171 of them. Unfortunately, they didn’t fall. Whether it was nerves or fatigue who knows. I’m still at a loss as to what transpired in the opener. When live betting the second game of this series, make it a point to keep track of both side’s efficiency and how quickly they’re getting shots off.
Even if the pace is in line with Game 1, live bet the over. The shots will fall this time around. The Warriors are going to get theirs, so it will be up to the Cavs to force their hand offensively instead of reacting to what Golden State is doing. Their role players stepping up would also do their big three a solid.
Also look to see where the Warriors are getting their points from. They owned the paint in Game 1 outscoring the Cavs 54-42, but that had more to do with LBJ guarding the perimeter which took one of their bigger bodies out of the paint allowing for missed shots to be quickly put back up and in by Golden State’s role players. That was the ultimate embarrassment and one I fully expect Cleveland to game plan for this time around.
NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! Bet on the NBA today as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors square off Sunday, June 5, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Oracle Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
