Best bets for Game 2 of the NBA Finals
Erin Rynning & Andrew Han
ESPN INSIDER
Despite a spectacular performance from LeBron James in Game 1, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell short, with the Golden State Warriors winning 124-114.
Here are the best ways to bet Game 2 from Erin Rynning and Andrew Han.
Note: All odds via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of June 2.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Oakland, Calif.
Rynning: Handicapping the state of mind of the Cavaliers is the essential key to the wagering in Game 2. Obviously, the heavy underdog Cavaliers most likely need to win every close game to have a shot to win the series. The Cavs played an outstanding Game 1 with James leading the way with another epic performance. Still, Cleveland shot a disappointing 10-of-37 from 3-point land, leaving room for improvement. But can the Cavaliers pick up the pieces from the devastating Game 1 overtime loss?
I started the series with the recommended winner with Game 1 over the total, and I'll still go with that side of the equation. One could sense the more freestyle play right away in Game 1 compared to the conference finals for both teams. Again, the Cavaliers have room to improve with their shooting, as do the Warriors. Cleveland garnered many easy baskets at the rim, and we could have a Rodney Hood sighting in Game 2. The loss of Andre Iguodala continues to plague the Warriors' overall team defense.
In the second game, I prefer the first-half total of 110 to go over. The first half will likely feature a quicker pace, much like how the first contest played out. The pace slowed in the fourth quarter, and in the case of a blowout, key scorers for both teams could be on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Warriors 115, Cavaliers 103
Best bet: Over 110 first-half points (-110)
Han: Where are you going? It's something LeBron could've said to JR Smith at the end of regulation in Game 1. It's also something we can ask of this series after a topsy-turvy opening match to the 2018 Finals. The knee-jerk instinct in a series is to overreact after one game, and there's one overreaction that should pique curiosities.
The Game 1 pace was much slower than expected. Golden State had clocked in at 99.88 throughout the playoffs, while Cleveland plodded at a much slower 93.85 through the East. Thursday night's match registered at 92.59, suggesting the Cavs' defensive scheme of switching and deploying sporadic traps had the desired effect of slowing the game down and raising the value of each individual possession. Coupled with a dominant effort on the glass (19 offensive rebounds for Cleveland), the Cavs at least made the Warriors uncomfortable.
Cleveland's supporting players continued to struggle on the road (with the notable exception of Kevin Love). LeBron wouldn't surprise anyone with an equal follow-up to his herculean 51-point effort, but a Cavs squad rattled after fumbling away a potential road win might be emotionally unsteady and unable to match the King's tempo.
Additionally, Steve Kerr's use of Shaun Livingston in place of the injured Iguodala throughout the overtime period essentially sealed the victory for Golden State. The modified lineup posted a 130.2 net rating in the final five minutes, nearly securing the Game 1 spread, as well.
But with uncertainty around Klay Thompson's left leg, the Warriors money line seems like the best bet heading into Game 2 with an under for the 215.5 point total. If Cleveland can hang on to its Game 1 strategy of punishing the boards, a second close game doesn't seem out of the question (109-101).
Prediction: Warriors 109, Cavaliers 101
Best bets: Warriors -800 and under 215.5 total points (-110)
Erin Rynning & Andrew Han
ESPN INSIDER
Despite a spectacular performance from LeBron James in Game 1, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell short, with the Golden State Warriors winning 124-114.
Here are the best ways to bet Game 2 from Erin Rynning and Andrew Han.
Note: All odds via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of June 2.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Oakland, Calif.
Rynning: Handicapping the state of mind of the Cavaliers is the essential key to the wagering in Game 2. Obviously, the heavy underdog Cavaliers most likely need to win every close game to have a shot to win the series. The Cavs played an outstanding Game 1 with James leading the way with another epic performance. Still, Cleveland shot a disappointing 10-of-37 from 3-point land, leaving room for improvement. But can the Cavaliers pick up the pieces from the devastating Game 1 overtime loss?
I started the series with the recommended winner with Game 1 over the total, and I'll still go with that side of the equation. One could sense the more freestyle play right away in Game 1 compared to the conference finals for both teams. Again, the Cavaliers have room to improve with their shooting, as do the Warriors. Cleveland garnered many easy baskets at the rim, and we could have a Rodney Hood sighting in Game 2. The loss of Andre Iguodala continues to plague the Warriors' overall team defense.
In the second game, I prefer the first-half total of 110 to go over. The first half will likely feature a quicker pace, much like how the first contest played out. The pace slowed in the fourth quarter, and in the case of a blowout, key scorers for both teams could be on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Warriors 115, Cavaliers 103
Best bet: Over 110 first-half points (-110)
Han: Where are you going? It's something LeBron could've said to JR Smith at the end of regulation in Game 1. It's also something we can ask of this series after a topsy-turvy opening match to the 2018 Finals. The knee-jerk instinct in a series is to overreact after one game, and there's one overreaction that should pique curiosities.
The Game 1 pace was much slower than expected. Golden State had clocked in at 99.88 throughout the playoffs, while Cleveland plodded at a much slower 93.85 through the East. Thursday night's match registered at 92.59, suggesting the Cavs' defensive scheme of switching and deploying sporadic traps had the desired effect of slowing the game down and raising the value of each individual possession. Coupled with a dominant effort on the glass (19 offensive rebounds for Cleveland), the Cavs at least made the Warriors uncomfortable.
Cleveland's supporting players continued to struggle on the road (with the notable exception of Kevin Love). LeBron wouldn't surprise anyone with an equal follow-up to his herculean 51-point effort, but a Cavs squad rattled after fumbling away a potential road win might be emotionally unsteady and unable to match the King's tempo.
Additionally, Steve Kerr's use of Shaun Livingston in place of the injured Iguodala throughout the overtime period essentially sealed the victory for Golden State. The modified lineup posted a 130.2 net rating in the final five minutes, nearly securing the Game 1 spread, as well.
But with uncertainty around Klay Thompson's left leg, the Warriors money line seems like the best bet heading into Game 2 with an under for the 215.5 point total. If Cleveland can hang on to its Game 1 strategy of punishing the boards, a second close game doesn't seem out of the question (109-101).
Prediction: Warriors 109, Cavaliers 101
Best bets: Warriors -800 and under 215.5 total points (-110)
