The Golden State Warriors (13-5 SU, 8-10 ATS) look to even the NBA Finals when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (14-3 SU, 10-7 ATS) Thursday in Game 4. You can watch the game live on ABC.
The Warriors haven’t lost three straight games all season and doing so now would force them to make the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. No team has ever overcome a 3-1 series deficit so the Warriors don’t have to be reminded of the importance of Game 4. Golden State opened as 3-point favorites and was favored in all but one of their 18 playoff games.
Cleveland can take a commanding lead in search of the city’s first professional sports title in 51 years. The LeBrons have been nearly unbeatable at The Q winning 27 of their last 29 there with one being a meaningless end of season give-away game. The Warriors have twice been a victim in that stretch as well.
KEY INJURY
Cavaliers’ guard Matthew Dellavedova spent Tuesday night in a Cleveland area hospital with severe dehydration after exhausting himself in Game 3 earlier that day. He cramped up following the game, and after receiving IV treatment, was taken to the hospital. He was released early Wednesday. The Cavs also received positive medical news on Iman Shumpert, who bruised his left shoulder in the first quarter. An MRI didn’t show any structural damage and Shumpert should play, though how effective he’ll be remains to be seen.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Every time the media or anyone thinks that he can’t accomplish something or do something remarkable, he always answers the call. He’s playing great basketball for us, and we’re just getting on his shoulders and just riding him through the game.” – Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson on teammate LeBron James
BETTING TRENDS
- Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last seven head-to-head meetings.
- Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games overall.
- The UNDER is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings.
KEY STATS
142: Cavs forward LeBron James has played 142 of 154 minutes during the first three games of the Finals and has attempted 107 field goals making 43.
97.3: Golden State has averaged 97.3 points in this series, even with two games going to overtime, after leading the NBA with 110 per game during the regular season.
5: Stephen Curry’s five three-pointers in the fourth quarter Tuesday were more than he made in the first two games combined (4). He was 7 of 13 for the game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This series is far from over and the Warriors are well aware of that. The Dubs have shown the ability to comeback all year and they’ve done it in these playoffs, so don’t think they are worried. They faced the same situation against Memphis in the second round, falling behind 2-1 in the series after two straight losses, against a team with a similar makeup of the Cavs. They made adjustments, got their league-leading offense in gear and steamrolled the Griz in three straight to take the series. Similar but not the same, the Griz don’t have LeBron James. The Warriors put a scare in the raucous crowd at The Q on Tuesday, showing off their comeback ability by storming back from a 20-point third quarter deficit to get within 94-91 with 19 seconds left.
It’s all about LeBron James, and does he have enough to get the Cavaliers two more wins? The superstar has lived up to that billing through the first three games, carrying the Cavs to a 2-1 series lead. The Cavs are slowing the pace, walking the ball up court and frustrating Golden State’s thoroughbreds who want to get out and push the ball. The plan has worked, knocking the Warriors out of sync, while LeBron just continues to dominate averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists over the first three games.
Golden State showed flashes in the fourth quarter Tuesday scoring 36 points with Curry nailing five threes. The outburst was more out of desperation when the Dubs trailed by 17 after three quarters. Desperation can be a good thing, especially for the Warriors who are on the verge of their first three-game losing streak all season. “We’ll figure out our game and the adjustments we need to make and we’ll be ready to give our best effort. I feel we’re pretty confident we can turn this around.” Curry said. The Warriors definitely don’t lack confidence.
Golden State 96, Cleveland 93
The NBA odds for this game will first open at BookMaker sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next half. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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 NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will start at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Quicken Loans Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
