How to bet Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Erin Rynning, ESPN Contributor
ESPN INSIDER
Heading into Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the betting odds that the Cleveland Cavaliers would win Game 2 on the road and the Golden State Warriors would sweep the Cavaliers in four games were roughly equal. Obviously, the Cavaliers won the game at nearly 3-1 on the betting money line, while completely changing the landscape of the series.
The Warriors were bet all the way to minus-700 to win the series after winning Game 1, coinciding with the news that Kyrie Irving would miss the remainder of the series. Now, the adjusted series price is right back where we started with the Warriors minus-240 with a payback of plus-200 for the Cavaliers, according to the Las Vegas Westgate SuperBook.
Let's take a look at what happened in Game 2 and my best bet for Game 3.
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[h=2]Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers[/h]Game 3 lines: Warriors minus-1.5; over/under 194
PickCenter Intel
In Game 2, a betting ticket on the Warriors was as much the wrong side as it was in Game 1, but without the miraculous overtime point spread cover to rescue backers. The Cavaliers simply outworked the Warriors again on both ends of the court. Of course, the Warriors were miserable shooting the basketball, most notably in Stephen Curry's 5-of-23 performance, including 2-of-15 from behind the 3-point line. Inexplicably, the Warriors' shot selection was morbid, with quickly launched shots throughout the contest. It's one idea to play with pace and generate easy baskets, but forcing questionable shots to play faster is defeating.
I noted in our Game 2 preview that the Warriors garnered much better shots when they moved the ball and showed patience on offense in Game 1. But the Warriors have been here before in the 2015 playoffs: In Games 2 and 3 against the Memphis Grizzlies, they shot 6-of-26 in back-to-back games from behind the arc with Curry shooting a combined 4-of-21. Of course, the Warriors rallied, while nailing 43-of-95 from deep to win the next three games. I have no opinion on the side in Game 3 in Cleveland. The Warriors should make a few necessary adjustments, but their inexperience and confidence loom as major questions marks to win on the road.
I cashed with a recommendation on the under in our Game 2 preview. It was the clear right side, with the two teams combining to shoot 36 percent from the field and combining for 174 points in regulation. There's no reason to stray from this opinion. As predicted in Game 2, the Cavaliers will continue to rely on their defense with the loss of Irving and play at a slow pace. Offensively, they just don't feature enough weapons to score consistently against the Golden State defense. As mentioned, the Warriors' confidence on offense remains an issue entering tonight's game, with a swift turnaround by Curry needed to regain his shooting stroke. Finally, just one day of rest and travel does figure to sap the legs of both teams off the first two epic overtime tilts, which included LeBron Jamesplaying 96 combined minutes. For a second time, I'll look for a lower-scoring game and side with the under here.
ESPN Chalk pick: Under 194 points.
Erin Rynning, ESPN Contributor
ESPN INSIDER
Heading into Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the betting odds that the Cleveland Cavaliers would win Game 2 on the road and the Golden State Warriors would sweep the Cavaliers in four games were roughly equal. Obviously, the Cavaliers won the game at nearly 3-1 on the betting money line, while completely changing the landscape of the series.
The Warriors were bet all the way to minus-700 to win the series after winning Game 1, coinciding with the news that Kyrie Irving would miss the remainder of the series. Now, the adjusted series price is right back where we started with the Warriors minus-240 with a payback of plus-200 for the Cavaliers, according to the Las Vegas Westgate SuperBook.
Let's take a look at what happened in Game 2 and my best bet for Game 3.
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[h=2]Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers[/h]Game 3 lines: Warriors minus-1.5; over/under 194
PickCenter Intel
In Game 2, a betting ticket on the Warriors was as much the wrong side as it was in Game 1, but without the miraculous overtime point spread cover to rescue backers. The Cavaliers simply outworked the Warriors again on both ends of the court. Of course, the Warriors were miserable shooting the basketball, most notably in Stephen Curry's 5-of-23 performance, including 2-of-15 from behind the 3-point line. Inexplicably, the Warriors' shot selection was morbid, with quickly launched shots throughout the contest. It's one idea to play with pace and generate easy baskets, but forcing questionable shots to play faster is defeating.
I noted in our Game 2 preview that the Warriors garnered much better shots when they moved the ball and showed patience on offense in Game 1. But the Warriors have been here before in the 2015 playoffs: In Games 2 and 3 against the Memphis Grizzlies, they shot 6-of-26 in back-to-back games from behind the arc with Curry shooting a combined 4-of-21. Of course, the Warriors rallied, while nailing 43-of-95 from deep to win the next three games. I have no opinion on the side in Game 3 in Cleveland. The Warriors should make a few necessary adjustments, but their inexperience and confidence loom as major questions marks to win on the road.
I cashed with a recommendation on the under in our Game 2 preview. It was the clear right side, with the two teams combining to shoot 36 percent from the field and combining for 174 points in regulation. There's no reason to stray from this opinion. As predicted in Game 2, the Cavaliers will continue to rely on their defense with the loss of Irving and play at a slow pace. Offensively, they just don't feature enough weapons to score consistently against the Golden State defense. As mentioned, the Warriors' confidence on offense remains an issue entering tonight's game, with a swift turnaround by Curry needed to regain his shooting stroke. Finally, just one day of rest and travel does figure to sap the legs of both teams off the first two epic overtime tilts, which included LeBron Jamesplaying 96 combined minutes. For a second time, I'll look for a lower-scoring game and side with the under here.
ESPN Chalk pick: Under 194 points.
