NBA Finals 2016: Updated Championship Odds, TV Schedule and Prediction
Coming back from down 2-0 in the NBA Finals is far from impossible, but the Cleveland Cavaliers will need a major turnaround to get back into the series.
The Golden State Warriors have been the better team through the first two games of the series, earning a 15-point victory in Game 1 and then winning by 33 in Game 2. Based on the 2-0 advantage and the way the team has looked all year, it's no wonder there is a dramatic difference in betting odds heading into Wednesday's Game 3.
However, the series is set to shift locations, which could give Cleveland a major boost going forward. If you still have faith in LeBron James and Co., a small bet at this point could pay off big time.
Here is a look at the latest odds information as well as everything you need to know to tune in for the rest of the series.
Odds to Win Championship
Warriors: 1-8
Cavaliers: 6-1
| 3 | Wednesday, June 8 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | Friday, June 10 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 5* | Monday, June 13 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 6* | Thursday, June 16 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 7* | Sunday, June 19 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 8 p.m. | ABC |
Game 3
It's hard to find positives from the Cavaliers' performances over the first two games. Not only have they gotten blown out; no one on the roster is free from criticism.
You can blame the supporting cast for struggling in Game 1 with only 10 bench points, while stars Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have both been unable to find their shots. Meanwhile, James hasn't been much better, especially after seven turnovers and a minus-20 rating in Game 2.
The former MVP summed it up well after the second game, per Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated:
Still, if there is one reason for optimism, it's the fact that the next two games will be at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers went 33-8 at home during the regular season and are 7-0 during the postseason, with six of those wins coming by double digits.
The Warriors have won all four head-to-head matchups against the Cavaliers this season, but only one of them has been in Cleveland.
Then again, the Warriors would be a tough team to stop even if the game was on the moon.
Golden State has a pair of elite scorers in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but neither has made his mark on the series yet. Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders provided a quick look at the story of the Finals:
Erik Malinowski explained who the star has been through two games:
"Through two Finals games vs. Cavs, Draymond Green leads Warriors in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and threes.
— Erik Malinowski (@erikmal) June 6, 2016"
When a team's third option is also one of the best two-way players in the NBA and capable of taking over for stretches, it's a good sign of dominance. Of course, the depth doesn't end with Draymond Green. Shaun Livingston, Andrew Bogut, Leandro Barbosa and Andre Iguodala have all stepped up at different times, and it has made the difference to this point.
Even when healthy, the Cavaliers don't have the offensive depth to match the Warriors, nor do they have the defensive versatility to handle the various different lineups that are being thrown their way.
Cleveland is too good to keep getting embarrassed and should bounce back at home. Many fans also say a series doesn't start until a road team wins a game, so anything can happen.
Still, the Warriors were the best team in the NBA this season and should win their second title in a row with little resistance.
Prediction: Warriors win in five games.
Betting information courtesy of Odds Shark.
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