The finals of the NBA playoffs will continue Sunday.
Odds are provided by Oddsshark.com.
Cleveland at Golden State (-8.5)
It’s almost as if one game has shifted the direction of this series.
I wrote about the betting public not showing trust in Cleveland in the last NBA best bet column, while oddsmakers were putting too much belief in the Cavaliers. Now, with the series tied at two games apiece and shifting back to Oakland, California, the trend seems to be reverting back to what was showcased in games 1 and 2.
In those games, the betting public backed the Cavs, while oddsmakers were heavy handed toward the Warriors. For game five on June 14, the line opened at -9 for Golden State. The public has spoken, and the line has edged in the Cavs direction at -8.5.
It appears that oddsmakers are weighing the Warriors’ home court advantage as a major factor in determining the line. However, in the last eight games, the Warriors are 3-5 against the spread at home.
It is worth mentioning that in the last two series, the Warriors are 2-0 against the spread in game fives.
The momentum seems to be heading in Golden State’s direction, and this has been predicted for weeks, considering Cleveland’s lack of depth. The Warriors should be fresher, and in the last two series, Golden State has overcome rough starts, to overpower Memphis and Houston in the final games to close out the series.
This feels extremely similar to the Golden State vs. Memphis series. The Warriors took a punch in the mouth and the “experts” were calling the series over. Now, after game four, just like the Memphis series, Golden State has control and home court advantage.
The only problem is that the number just seems too high for a game five of the NBA finals. The line may move down, but at the current state, LeBron James will keep the game within single digits, giving the Cavs the cover. – Cleveland
