With their backs against the wall, the Cavaliers got the performance of the playoffs from LeBron James to withstand elimination and push this series against the Warriors to a sixth game back in Cleveland. If they’re to return the favor and become the eleventh team in NBA history to battle back from a 3-1 deficit and win a series, they must hold serve on their home court Thursday night.
NBA Finals Odds at BookMaker.eu
Golden State Warriors +2.5
Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5
Over/Under 208.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
The last time a game in this series took place in the Q, the Cavaliers had a shot of evening the series up at two games apiece. Unfortunately for their championship starved fan base, Cleveland just couldn’t put the clamps on Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson when it mattered most, as the Warriors rallied and then pulled away in the second half to pull out the 108-97 outright win as 2.5 point underdogs. The total just went under the 207.5 point closing total.
Once again, Tyronn Lue’s squad has been tabbed the 2.5 point favorites to win Game 6 with the total checking in at 208.5 – a half point lower than Game 5 closed at. Early bettors were able to cash over tickets if they got in at 208 or below.
The home team has won and covered three of the five games played to date. If going by closing numbers, the under has cashed at a 3-1-1 clip.
KEY MATCHUP
With Draymond Green sidelined due to suspension for yet another cheap shot taken on a defenseless player, the Cavaliers took advantage - big time!
The Warriors won the rebounding battle in Game 4 with Green’s 12 boards leading the way. His absence played a huge role in Game 5 not just on the glass, but also in allowing LeBron and company to streak to the basket for easy deuces with regularity. Golden State still outrebounded the Cavs 43-41, but it now might be forced to go to war without the services of Andrew Bogut who looked to have suffered a serious ankle injury that could have him doubtful to play the remainder of the series.
Cleveland was on the attack in Game 5 as the team went for 28 fast break points as opposed to the Warriors nine. The Dubs seriously looked gassed in the second half as well, which came away as extremely surprising. It’s possible the team felt all it had to do was show up, and they’d cut the nets down for a second straight season.
LeBron and Kyrie Irving were simply sensational as the duo combined for 82 of the team’s 112 overall points. They let it be known that they can compete with the Splash Brothers on the scoreboard, and the last thing Steve Kerr wanted to do in a closeout game on his own floor was give the opponent confidence.
LIVE BETTING SCENARIO
The Warriors live and die by the three. If Game 5 told us anything, it was exactly just that. Curry and Klay Thompson couldn’t miss through the first 24 minutes of play. However, in the second half, the results were much different.
Golden State is now 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS in closeout games this postseason. All the pressure in the world will now be on the defending champs’ backs to close this series out and avoid a trip back home. It will be interesting to see just how this one plays out, and I believe the team’s body language will be a telltale sign of what’s to come.
If the Dubs look to be going through the motions and not defending or running offense, Cleveland is going to have a field day in this one. The team and city is so hungry for a title that Golden State could actually be getting set up for a massacre in this one. If the threes aren’t falling, look to live bet the Cavs with reckless abandon. The team impressed me enough to the point in Game 5 that I’ll be backing them the rest of the way.
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! The Game 6 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will start at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the Q Arena. Watch the game live on ABC.
