The Cleveland Cavaliers are no strangers to trailing the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, but if the Cavs are going to pull off a comeback like they did in 2016, they’ll need players outside of LeBron James to step up in a big way with the series shifting to Northeast Ohio for Game 3 on Wednesday. The good news for Cavs bettors is their penchant for producing at home in recent weeks. Cleveland is 8-0 SU in its past eight at Quicken Loans Arena with an average winning margin of 12 points.
Sportsbook opened the Warriors as 4.5-point road favorites with a total of 216.5.
- The Warriors are 4-0 SU in their last four games (avg winning margin: 16.75).
- The Cavaliers are 7-0 SU in their last seven games after consecutive losses.
- The visiting team is 1-5 SU in the last six games in this matchup.
Down 2-0 in the series, the Cavs will be looking to accomplish the same feat and come back like they did against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference final. Cleveland became the 20th team to prevail in a seven-game series when dropping the first two games, as NBA teams that go up 2-0 in a best-of-seven round are 282-20 in the series all-time.
The Dubs’ -4.5 number is significantly smaller than the -12.5 one they received in Game 1 and the -11.5 spread in Game 2. Golden State went 1-1 ATS in its two Finals games at Oracle Arena, while both contests went OVER the total. The O/U in Game 1, which was set at 217.5, easily went OVER by 20.5 points thanks to an overtime frame, with the O/U of 216 in Game 2 going OVER by nine points. The OVER is now 6-2 in the last eight meetings between the Cavs and Warriors.
For Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals between the Cavs and Dubs, Golden State found itself close as -3.5 road chalk. The Warriors won Game 3 118-113, with the tilt going above the closing 227 total.
James has done everything he can to will his team to victory, but it hasn’t been enough. The Akron native averaged 40 points in Game 1 and 2, including an epic 51-point effort in the series opener. Rodney Hood, who’s averaging only 4.4 points in the postseason, has largely been a disappointment for the wine and gold but is expected to get more minutes tonight as head coach Tyronn Lue looks for alternative scoring options. Kevin Love has been Cleveland’s best option behind James, as the power forward is averaging 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the series.
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry made an NBA Finals-record nine three-pointers in Game 2 and is averaging 31 points in the series, but Golden State’s role players have also stepped up. Backup guard Shaun Livingston has made each of his nine field-goal attempts in the Finals, while reserve center JaVale McGee is 8-for-9 from the field through two games.
Swingman Andre Iguodala hasn’t seen the floor since suffering a knee injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference final but was listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup as of this writing. Iggy was deemed doubtful for both Game 1 and 2 and didn’t suit up as a result. If Iguodala does play, expect the 34-year-old to provide the Dubs with a major boost on both ends of the floor.
Thinking of betting the Dubs on the spread? It’s important to note Golden State hasn’t been producing when in this spot. The Warriors are 1-6 SU and ATS in their past seven games as a favorite of 4.5 points or less.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those looking to pick the visitors as their prediction to cover in this one found the Golden State Warriors listed as 5-point favorites earlier at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER total betting line for this game was set at 217.5 at Sportsbook but may have moved since the betting odds opened.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 111-103 result in favor of the Warriors. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Golden State Warriors have seen them go 72-29 and 44-56-1 ATS so far this NBA season, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are at 62-40 and 41-60-1 ATS. In OVER/UNDER totals betting, the Cavaliers are 49-51-2, while the Warriors are 47-53-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Golden State injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams with the Cavaliers rated this week at No. 8 and the Warriors sitting at No. 22.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Cleveland's No. 7-ranked offense (109.11 PPG) against a Golden State defense that ranks No. 16 at 106.3 PPG. The Cavaliers have averaged 47.25% from the field per game, less than the Warriors have managed so far this NBA season (49.84% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Golden State's last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games on the road
- Golden State is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Cleveland
- Cleveland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
- Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Golden State at Cleveland, Friday, June 8
