NBA Finals Game 3 Betting Preview: Cavs Facing Must-Win Game in Ohio

You’ll have to forgive LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers if they’re suffering from déjà vu right now. Just as they found themselves a year ago, the Cavs are in a 2-0 hole in the NBA Finals with the series shifting to Northeast Ohio. Sportsbooks opened the Warriors as 3.5-point road favorites with a total of 226 for Game 3 tonight.

Shark Bites
  • The visiting team is 0-4 SU and ATS in its last four games in this matchup.
  • The Warriors are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games on the road against the Cavaliers.
  • The Cavaliers are 2-7 SU and ATS in their last nine games in the playoffs as underdog.

Despite winning the first two games by an average of 20.5 points, the Warriors haven’t forgotten what transpired a year ago when they let the wine and gold complete the first comeback from a team down 3-1 in Finals history.

The biggest difference between this year’s Warriors squad and last year’s is obviously the man at small forward, as Kevin Durant is playing out of his mind while averaging 35.5 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists through the Sportsbook two games. Point guard Stephen Curry is averaging 30 points, 10.5 assists and eight boards and shooting guard Klay Thompson showed signs of breaking out of his postseason slump by registering 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Game 2.

If you’re looking for someone to blame on Cleveland’s side, don’t point the finger at James. The King scored 29 points to go along with 14 dimes and 11 rebounds in Game 2 for his eighth career NBA Finals triple-double, tying for most all-time with legendary guard Magic Johnson. If the Cavs want to make this a series, they’ll need to get better contributions from Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Deron Williams and the rest of the reserves.

While the Warriors have yet to lose in the playoffs, their success at the betting window away from home is no joke either. In Golden State's last 11 road games, the team is a perfect 11-0 ATS.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Sports bettors looking to pick the Cleveland Cavaliers as their prediction for this matchup, they were listed earlier as -2-point favorites on the betting odds board at Sportsbook. Those betting on the total over/under for points scored have seen that line set at 226 for Wednesday at shops such as Sportsbook.

Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 113-111 win for the Warriors on Wednesday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.

Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Cleveland Cavaliers sit at 63-34 (43-50-4 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Golden State Warriors are currently 81-15 (50-42-4 ATS). Looking to bet on the points scored total? Cleveland is 57-38-2 OU and Golden State is 42-54 OU. This season the Cleveland Cavaliers are 63-34 overall and 43-50-4 ATS against the number, while the Golden State Warriors are 81-15 and 50-42-4 ATS. As for the totals, Cleveland is 57-38-2 on the OU, and Golden State is 42-54. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Golden State injuries news.

The betting Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 1-rated Golden State Warriors taking on the No. 17-rated Cleveland Cavaliers in this NBA contest.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively the game matches up Cleveland's No. 4-ranked offense (111.03 PPG) against a Golden State Warriors defense that ranks No. 10 at 103.93 PPG. The Cleveland Cavaliers have averaged 47.34% from the field per game, less than the Golden State Warriors have managed so far this NBA season (49.49% on average).

Recent Outings Betting Recap

 

Betting Trends
  • Golden State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games
  • Golden State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Cleveland is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 16 of Cleveland's last 23 games
  • Cleveland is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Golden State at Cleveland, Friday, June 9th

The visiting team is 0-4 SU and ATS in its last four games in this matchup. The Warriors are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games on the road against the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are 2-7 SU and ATS in their last nine games in the playoffs as underdog.home
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