After winning their first ever NBA Finals game in the opener, the Raptors hope to make the most of their home court advantage by going up 2-0 in the series against the Warriors. We break down the NBA betting odds for this matchup and give our predictions and best bets for Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Raptors.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT TORONTO RAPTORS (-2, 214.5)
Raptors lead series 1-0
Series price: Raptors +120/Warriors -150
QUICK HITTER
Despite their recent success the Raptors have not gotten out to quick starts averaging only 21.7 first quarter points over their previous three games. The Warriors slow start in Game 1 of The Finals was a little more surprising, scoring only 21 in the opening frame, considering they have the highest scoring first quarter offense on the road, averaging 30.7 points per game. The defending champs will be motivated to start Game 2 on the right foot. Take the Warriors on the first quarter spread.
PREDICTION: First quarter spread Warriors +0.5
FIRST HALF BET
Despite being held under 50 in the first half Game 1, the Warriors still possess the league’s highest scoring first half offense away from home averaging 60.6 points. While the Raptors have been solid defensively at home allowing only 52.6 first half points a game this season but have been burned by the Warriors in the past. Prior to Game 1, the Warriors had averaged 68.3 first half points in their previous three games in Toronto.
PREDICTION: Golden State first half team total Over 54
TEAM/PLAYER PROP
Stephen Curry has had an outstanding postseason beyond his scoring totals and 3-point percentage. Curry has logged 10 games in which he has recorded double digits in combined rebounds and assists. And he has also had seven games with 12 or more cumulative rebounds and assists. In Game 1 Curry notched 10 combined rebounds and assists, while the Raptors did a good job limiting his shot attempts after a quick start, limiting him to 8-of-18 from the floor for the game. Look for Curry to be even more involved in orchestrating the offense and being active on both sides of the floor.
PREDICTION: Stephen Curry Over 11.5 rebounds, and assists
FULL GAME TOTAL
Home court advantage has been a real thing for the Raptors, specially on the defensive end. They have held opponents to 105.3 points at home on 43.5 percent shooting. Meanwhile, the Warriors have let teams to just over 111 points per game on 44 percent shooting, ranking them 13th in the Association.
Offensively the Warriors have shot the ball well on the road all season averaging 117.3 points on 48.8 percent shooting – league high’s in both categories. In the teams’ two head-to-head regular season matchups the Raps have put up 131, 113 and most recently 118 points in Game 1, and should continue to find success on the offensive end.
PREDICTION: Over 214.5
FULL GAME SIDE
The Raptors had their way offensively in Game 1 due in large part to the success of Pascal Siakam, who shot an outstanding 14-of-17 from the floor.
Golden State is 15-5 SU in their last 20 games against the Raptors but seemed rusty with the extra time away from the court after a sweep of the Blazers the round before. It is difficult to envision the Warriors going down 0-2 to start the NBA Finals, however the lack of production from their bench and the defensive intensity from the Raptors make it a tough sell to back a Warriors squad without Kevin Durant. People have made a lot the Warriors record with Curry and without Durant but get this: The Warriors are now 0-4 in their last four Finals games without Durant, and 8-1 with him.
PREDICTION: Raptors moneyline
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