NBA Finals Betting: Warriors at Cavaliers
The tables have turned once again in the 2015 NBA Finals and now the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves on the brink of elimination in tonight’s all important Game 6. Back-to-back blowouts have left the Cavs reeling. The series-ending injury to Kyrie Irving has had lasting effects. Relying on the likes of Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert to consistently produce on a nightly basis just isn’t working. Unfortunately for Cleveland, they have no choice. With two-thirds of the “Big Three” sidelined, LeBron is doing all he can to carry his team to the title, but Steph Curry and the Warriors aren’t having any of it. Curry finally had one of his signature performances in Game 5 and appears to be hitting his stride. Add quality minutes from Andre Iguodala since being moved into the starting lineup, and Golden State is one win away from their first championship since 1975. Here’s a preview of Game 6 of the 2015 NBA Finals.
GOLDEN STATE AT CLEVELAND +4
The move by Steve Kerr to go small and swap out Andrew Bogut for Iggy has resulted in two double-digit victories for Golden State. Bogut wasn’t even active in Game 5 and wasn’t missed at all with Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green combining for 19 rebounds. Curry regained his touch, hitting 13-23 overall and 7-13 from beyond the arc. The offense is distributing the ball more precisely and executing in transition much better than the Cavs. However, missing 14 of 34 free throws in Game 5 isn’t ideal, especially Iguodala, who clanked 2-11 shots in ugly fashion. They have also survived Klay Thompson’s woeful 8-28 three-point slump. As long as the Warriors continue to be more athletic and better on the glass, Cleveland is in trouble. Kerr is willing to let James dominate the stat sheet as long as no one else catches fire.
As great as James is playing, and he’s clearly been the best player on the floor, even he can’t do everything alone. Of all people, Tristan Thompson is the only Cav making an effort in the scoring column, and he isn’t even that skilled of an offensive player. When Irving was lost, J.R. Smith was the prime candidate to pick up the slack, but he’s been largely invisible, going 8-32 from beyond the arc in the last four games. Head coach Dave Blatt is so desperate he’s giving minutes to James Jones and Mike Miller; of course, neither guy is doing anything except take up space on the court. The Cavaliers’ chances hinge on James continuing to wear his cape, and someone else adding significant contributions to the cause.
Golden State is 12-5 ATS in their last 17 meetings with Cleveland. The Cavs are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 versus the West. Trusting Cleveland at this stage is very risky, but James has the game to force a Game 7.
Bet Cleveland +4
