Portland (0-0) at Golden State (0-0)
When: Tuesday, May 14th, 2019
Where: Oracle Arena,
Oakland, CA
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Golden State -5/216
The Golden State Warriors defied the oddsmakers after one of their All-Stars went down with an injury in the series versus the Houston Rockets. Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals was supposed to be a walk-in-the-park for Houston as the Warriors were without Kevin Durant and his 34 points a game. Instead, Golden State – as 7-point road underdogs – won outright to advance a game early into the Western Conference Finals where they will take on the upstart Portland Trail Blazers. Game 1 is set for Tuesday night in Oakland and the Warriors have opened as 8-point home favorites with a total of 218.5 at Bovada Sportsbook. The Warriors come into this series with two important injury questions to answer. Kevin Durant is likely to miss at the very least Games 1 and 2 with a strained right calf and DeMarcus Cousins could return later in this series – should it go beyond four or five games. The Blazers needed seven hard-fought games to put away the Denver Nuggets in the Western semis, and will come into Tuesday’s opener on just one day of rest. Jusuf Nurkic (broken left leg) remains out for Portland, while Rodney Hood (hyperextended left knee) is considered questionable for Game 1. 3. The teams split the four-game season series, with each earning one road victory and a pair of home blowouts.
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Portland is led by two high-scoring guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and the latter went off for 37 points in Sunday’s 100-96 series-clinching triumph at Denver. Lillard, who clinched the first-round series win over Oklahoma City with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, went 3-of-17 from the floor on Sunday but contributed 10 rebounds and eight assists. McCollum, who averaged 32 points in the four wins over the Nuggets, went 17-of-29 from the floor in the decisive win.
Stephen Curry scored all 33 of his points in the second half to key the clinching win over Houston on Friday after struggling with his shot for most of the series. Fellow guard Klay Thompson is also struggling but had a big first half in Game 6 versus Houston then let his backcourt mate take over after halftime. Small forward Andre Iguodala went 5-of-8 from 3-point range and scored a 2019 postseason-high 17 points in Friday’s Game 6.
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Golden State is probably relieved they don’t have to face Denver and Nikola Jokic, but they need to be wary of Lillard and McCollum. The Warriors don’t mind Durant being out, even though he’s one of the best players in the game. Golden State is 27-1 when he’s out and Curry is in the lineup. The Blazers looked exhausted after Sunday’s game and that will come into play in Game 1 here. Lay the points with the Warriors.
Pick: Warriors -7.5
Trail Blazers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 27-12 ATS in their last 39 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 Tuesday games.
Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
Warriors are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Conference Finals games.
Warriors are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 Tuesday games.
Warriors are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Warriors are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Over is 5-1 in Trail Blazers last 6 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 25-8-2 in Trail Blazers last 35 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 19-7 in Trail Blazers last 26 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 5-0 in Warriors last 5 Conference Finals games.
Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 10-3-1 in Warriors last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 3-1-1 in Warriors last 5 overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 3-1-1 in Warriors last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 19-7 in Warriors last 26 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 10-4 in Warriors last 14 games following a ATS win.
Under is 12-5 in Warriors last 17 home games.
Under is 36-16 in Warriors last 52 Tuesday games.
Over is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
Trail Blazers are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Trail Blazers are 9-22 ATS in the last 31 meetings in Golden State.
