The Golden State Warriors have their leader back on the court and they’re hoping it leads to them getting back to their winning ways. In Curry’s absence, things went downhill fast with the Warriors going 4-6 SU and 3-7 ATS. Golden State opened as an 11.5-point favorite in tonight’s NBA Finals “rematch” with the Cavs in Cleveland, with the total at 222.
- Golden State is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of the Cavaliers’ last seven games at home (avg. combined score: 203.0).
- The Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games when hosting a West Coast team.
Warriors vs Cavaliers Game Center
Curry Instantly Restores Order
With Steph Curry returning during an Eastern Conference road swing, he should be back in game shape by the time the Warriors get back to conference play next week. In fact, he might already be there.
The 2016 NBA MVP is averaging 28.5 points and shooting 53 percent from the floor since returning. Both marks are right around his season average and better than his career numbers.
With Curry in the lineup, the Warriors are an outstanding 7-1 ATS as double-digit favorites this season, including a 17-point win on Monday night in Atlanta. The only blemish on that record was on Sportsbook night in an eight-point win over OKC.
Cavs Come in Losers in Seven of Nine
After a dreadful start to the season that saw Cleveland lose 14 of its first 16 games, the Cavs have lost four of their last five and limp into tonight’s game with a 5-18 record. Despite that, they are 12-11 ATS so you’d unbelievably be up money if you bet the Cavs every night (I want to meet the person who is doing that, by the way).
With Kevin Love on the shelf until at least January, the Cavs’ leading scorer is actually Jordan Clarkson with 16.2 points per game – and he’s coming off the bench. The Cavs have the No. 30 scoring offense in the NBA at 102.6 points per game and are a desperate 44.2 percent from the floor.
My Pick for Tonight
I’m backing the Warriors to cover the spread tonight along with three-quarters of the public based on our consensus data. Golden State has the No. 4 road scoring offense in the Association at 115 points per game to go along with a league-leading field-goal percentage of 49.6.
The Warriors have been above their season average in points lately, putting up 119.3 in their last three games, while Cleveland has averaged just 96.3.
This is a “don’t overthink it” bet.
