After falling in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Toronto and going into the locker room trailing at halftime of Game 2, the Golden State Warriors roared out of the gate with an 18-0 run to start the third period, rolling to a 109-104 victory to even the series at a game apiece. The Warriors pulled this off with Kevin Durant already on the shelf (calf) and with Klay Thompson hobbling off with a hamstring strain in the fourth period. Andre Iguodala sank the dagger for Golden State with 5.9 seconds left, knocking down a three-ball after a 10-0 Toronto run had closed the Golden State lead to two points.
Kawhi Leonard, once again, led the Raptors with 34 points and pulled down 14 boards, but Golden State started DeMarcus Cousins, getting 11 points, 10 boards and six assists, and Draymond Green put up 17 points, 10 boards and nine assists, just barely missing a fourth consecutive triple-double. Toronto did get a solid night from Fred VanVleet, who scored 17 points, and they did outscore Golden State 23-0 in terms of second chance points, but shooting 37 percent from the floor doomed them.
Can Toronto take back home court advantage in Game 3? Or will Golden State take them down again? Don’t miss our sports betting preview for this installment of the NBA Finals.
Raptors vs Warriors 2019 NBA Finals Game 3 Odds & Preview
When: Wednesday, June 5, 2019, 9:00pm ET
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: WatchESPN2019 NBA Finals Game 3 Odds: Golden State -4.5 / O/U 213Why should you bet on Toronto?
Toronto’s title hopes rest on the shoulders of Kawhi Leonard, and he was limping visibly at several points during Game 2. He did put up the numbers, along with VanVleet (and Kyle Lowry also put up 13. However, Pascal Siakam, the hero of Game 1, went just 5 for 18, scoring a dozen points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. As we mentioned earlier, Toronto shot 37 percent from the floor and went just 11 for 38 from downtown. Even so, with that dreadful shooting, Toronto won the game by 14 points at all points except during that 18-0 Golden State run.
Toronto has only covered in three of their last 14 meetings with the Warriors and Golden State and just nine of their last 29 games with Golden State overall. With that said, the Warriors are particularly vulnerable here. They won’t have Kevin Durant, and they won’t have Kevin Looney. They might not have Klay Thompson, and if they do, it is hard to see him playing at 100 percent. Toronto needs this win to have a chance to push the series longer — a bad night in Game 3 could make this an easy win for the Warriors.
Why should you put your money on Golden State?
Klay Thompson was a force with 25 points, five boards and five assists before leaving with his hamstring injury, and he has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3, suggesting that he could play — although the impact of the injury on his mobility and shooting will be interesting to see. Stephen Curry struggled a bit in Game 2, with 23 points and four assists. The team shot a solid 46 percent from the field, picking up especially in the second half. Even in adversity, the Warriors were able to push through and get a huge road win.
Golden State has covered in four of their last NBA Finals contests but just twice in their last seven games at home. Indeed, Oracle Arena has not been an intimidating home court for Golden State this year, as the Warriors have taken some big losses at home from some of the NBA’s bottom-feeders. If Siakam can have a better shooting night for Toronto and take some of the pressure off Lowry and Leonard, then Toronto could easily pull this out.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction for Raptors vs Warriors
There is one perspective that makes it difficult to bet against Golden State on their home court. However, the rising tide of injuries, along with Toronto’s edge on the board and in terms of ball security, makes the Raptors a compelling pick here. I see Kawhi leading Toronto to another upset, with a final score of Raptors 114, Warriors 111.
