Game 2 of the NBA Finals takes place tonight and I will have a free pick in the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, which will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ABC. Current Vegas betting odds have the Warriors listed as 8 point favorites, while the total is set at 201.
Analysis: The Cleveland Cavaliers were right in game one for 51 of the 53 minutes played, but they scored just 2 points in the OT and ended up losing 108-100. The just simply ran out of gas and to make matters worse for this team they will now be without Kyrie Irving for the remainder of the Finals. Cleveland has gone 13-3 ATS in their last 16 vs. the Western Conference, but just 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Golden State. The Cavaliers have been a solid offensive team on the road this year, scoring 101.8 ppg on 44.4% shooting overall and 34.6% shooting from long range. Defensively on the road the Cavs have allowed 99.5 ppg on 46.2% shooting overall and 32.3% shooting from long range.
The Warriors have been the best team in the NBA this year and they are the favorites to win the Title. Even more so now that Irving is out for the Cavs. The Warriors didn't play their best game by far in game 1, but still found a way to win the game. The Warriors have gone an impressive 47-3 at home this year now. Golden State has gone 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 2 days rest, but just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. The Warriors have scored 111.2 ppg on 49.0% shooting overall and 40.4% from long range at home this year. Defensively they have been decent at home as they have allowed just 97.8 ppg on 43.0% shooting overall and 33.4% shooting from long range.
Pick: I will be going with the Warriors in this one. Cleveland has no Irving and that will really hurt their offense and you have to score if you want to stay with the Warriors on this floor. Golden State really didn't play well in Game 1 and they still won by 8 in the end. I look for a much crisper Warriors team in this one and with them knowing that the Cavs are I hurt team I look for them to go for the jugular here. Warriors 105-90.
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Home Court Advantage and the 2015 NBA Finals
Pro bettors Teddy Covers and Steve Fezzik clash over the value of home court in the 2015 NBA Finals. Fezzik thinks the Warriors are so far above the rest of the league at home with a +13 point differential over the competition as Oracle, that their home court advantage can't be overrated. Teddy, on the other hand, thinks Golden State are not beating the spread at home in the postseason. Fezzik says Golden State had bad spots early in the playoffs, but this series finale is a great spot for them to succeed.