By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle: Cleveland Cavaliers +6 vs Golden State Warrior -6 Total 209
The Cavaliers trail in a playoff series for the first time this season. If you watched game one, it’s not surprising and LeBron James summed it up very well with this statement, “When you’re outscored 45–10 in bench points and give up 25 points off turnovers, you’re not winning that game.” James had 4 turnovers while scoring 23 points with 12 rebounds and 9 assists.
If someone told me that Thompson and Curry would combine for only 20 points and the Warriors would still win the game, “I’d send that person for a drug test!”
Golden State’s defense was superb as they held the Cavaliers to held the Cavaliers to 38.1% from the field while turning the ball over only 9 times with just one of those turnovers coming from their bench.
Tip–Ins
· As bad as the Cavaliers looked in game one the line in game two remains basically the same with Golden State being favored by 6 and the total climbing slightly from a opening number of 206.5 to 208. The game one total closed at 211 and was initially bet down to as low as 207 after opening at 210.
· Prior to game one vs. the Warriors, the Cavaliers had 7 overs and 7 unders vs. the Pistons, Hawks and Raptors. In their first three series vs. the aforementioned teams, only four had had posted totals higher than 200 points and all four of those contests produced unders.
· As for Golden State, they are on an under run as five of their seven vs. the Thunder stayed under the total as did game one vs. the Cavaliers. Four out of five stayed under in their first round vs. the Rockets while four out of their five game vs. the Trailblazers went over the total. So, non conference playoff games produced 3 overs vs. 9 unders.
· The Warriors are 12–6 ATS in the playoffs while the Cavaliers are 9–6 ATS.
· Golden State has been a very solid home team in the post season, especially when laying 7 or less points going 3–0 ATS.
· Personally, there is more value on today’s baseball card as there are 15 games to choose from vs. this stand along marquee match-up.
NBA PICK GAME 2
My Every Edge selection is on the Golden State Warriors at –6 points.