NBA Finals 2015: Cavaliers vs. Warriors Game 5 Odds, Props and Predictions
This unpredictable NBA Finals series has to be maddening for the Las Vegas oddsmakers. Every game seems to feature unsung heroes and crafty chess moves to swing the momentum of the entire series. Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are leaving it all on the floor, which is great for fans but takes a few years off the lives of those oddsmakers.
In Game 4, it was the two-way dominance of Andre Iguodala and the benching of Andrew Bogut that caused the momentum shift. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr snagged it all back from Matthew Dellavedova and the Cavs.
What can we expect as we head back to Oracle Arena?
Game 5 Info
When: Sunday, June 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Oracle Arena in Oakland, California
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
After handing out an emphatic Game 4 beating, the Warriors head home riding a wave of confidence. They rode their small-ball lineup to 103-82 domination. Cleveland is beaten up. Golden State is catching fire. The oddsmakers over at Odds Shark are noticing and are clearly buying what the Dubs are selling, making them 8.5-point favorites for Game 5 with an over/under line of 195.5.
Even Cavaliers coach David Blatt sounded worn down in his postgame comments following Game 4, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
"[It] was the third game in five days, including the trip back from the West Coast, and it seemed to have an impact on us," he said. "We're thinner now than we were, but that's not an excuse. We haven't used it as an excuse yet, and we won't start now. We've just all got to pick it up."
Despite what Blatt said, that sounds a little bit like an excuse. The Cavaliers are not doing anything the Warriors aren't doing as well.
That being said, they cannot be counted out in Game 5. Even though Golden State roasted so many a foe on its home court throughout the year, the Cavs were one Iman Shumpert buzzer-beater away from stealing Game 1 at Oracle. Anything can happen.
The whole aura emanating around the Finals took on a drastically different feel after Game 4. No longer are we discussing all things Dellavedova. No longer are we wondering if he solved the riddle that is Stephen Curry. No longer are we bowing at LeBron James' feet.
Something happened during the fourth quarter of Game 3 that may have ended this series right then and there: Curry got hot. He may not hit seven threes again, but the Warriors are not the same when their MVP is not in attack mode. Now that he is playing like his usual self, the Cavs have a huge problem on their hands.
If you are looking for prop bets to cash in on, the regular-season MVP is looking like a pretty good Finals MVP bet at this point. He is the considerable favorite according to Odds Checker.
However, expect Cleveland to make the most of this little break and come out ready to roll on Sunday. You can never count out the King, and one thing you can be sure of is that adjustments are coming for the Cavs. According to ESPN, that change could be as simple as playing the veterans more.
It has definitely been a series of adjustments, and if Cleveland is going to have a chance, that next change has to be drastic. Playing some washed-up veterans who joined the team hoping to ride LeBron's coattails to a title is not that answer. Maybe LeBron guarding Curry? Now that would be drastic.
The Warriors' shift to the small-ball lineup, doubling LeBron James and running the floor like they have all season might just be the trump card. That is an adjustment, and one that will lead them to another win on their home floor.
Prediction: Golden State 104, Cleveland 96
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
