The Golden State Warriors have a chance to repeat as NBA champs on their home floor Monday night, as they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Oracle Arena for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, leading the series 3-1. The Warriors rebounded from a 120-90 shellacking in Cleveland on Game 3, preaching patience, and came away with a 108-97 win in Game 4 on Friday night. Stephen Curry found the shooting and scoring touch that had been missing for three games, dropping 38 on the Cavs, while Klay Thompson poured in 25 more. The two combined for 11 three-pointers as the Warriors moved just one win away from the title. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for more NBA lines by clicking here.
NBA Finals Betting Pick Cleveland vs Golden State Game 5 & TV Info
When: Monday, June 13, 9:00pm Eastern time
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: ABC
Radio: Cleveland / Golden StateLive Stream: NBA.comNBA Odds: Golden State (-6), Over/Under Total 210
Why should you bet on Cleveland?
The Warriors will have to play Game 5 without Draymond Green, who was suspended after picking up a Flagrant 1 foul in Game 4. He is the defensive stalwart of the team, which means that the team will have to look elsewhere to find ways to lock down the Cavaliers when they mount a rally. The Warriors rely heavily on Green when Curry and Thompson are in the game — the Splash Brothers have played 2,464 minutes on the floor together — and Green has been out there for all but 118 of those minutes. When Curry and Thompson are on the floor but Green is not, Golden State permits 108.6 points per 100 possessions. Add Green to the lineup, and you drop that number to 101.3. The Warriors also can’t play their “Death” lineup (Green and four perimeter players), a lineup that outscored the Cavs by 8 in their 11-point win in Game 4.
Why should you put your money on the Warriors?
The Warriors have been terrific at home all season, both in the regular campaign and in the postseason. It is a lud place filled with knowledgeable fans. That energy will fill Curry and Thompson, as it has all season. There is also the factor of Andre Iguodala, the MVP of last year’s Finals and the one tasked with guarding LeBron James much of the time. He can take Green’s place in the middle of that “Death” lineup, with Harrison Barnes sliding down to the small forward position. There’s also the LeBron give-up factor, which seems to strike his teams when he feels like there is no way for them to win. These are all factors that help the Warriors.
Expert Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction
I like the Warriors to close out this series on Monday night and hoist the trophy. I’m predicting a 118-111 Golden State win.
