Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-13, 214.5)
Series tied 0-0.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight game and the series begins Thursday night in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors won two of the first three meetings and the latest matchup will likely begin with Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (concussion) sitting out.
Cleveland star LeBron James doesn't understand why there is complaining that the two teams are one again sharing the Finals' stage. "Teams have had their opportunities to beat the Cavs over the last four years, and teams have had the opportunities to beat the Warriors over the last four years," James said at his Wednesday press conference. "If you want to see somebody else in the postseason, then you got to beat them." There also has been a lot of chatter about how James lacks a supporting case - an odd notion for a team that is in the NBA Finals and one Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn't prescribe to in the least. "You don't get to The Finals with one man, no matter how good that one man is," Kerr said at his press conference. "So we have great respect for the Cavs, their resiliency. The fact that they're here four years in a row - we know exactly how hard that is. So we're preparing for a lot more than just LeBron, that's for sure."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC
LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 11.5-point home favorites when the odds were first released Monday night and as of Wednesday night that number was up to -12.5. Thursday morning that number ticked even higher to -13. The total hit betting boards at 216 and has been dropped to 214.5. Check out the complete line history here.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Fourth year in a row the Warriors and Cavaliers face off in the NBA Finals. However, the Cavaliers have a completely different lineup with more inexperience and no Kyrie Irving this time. However, they still have the most dominant player in the game as LeBron James now appears in his 8th straight NBA Finals. This series is a perfect example of a complete team (Warriors) versus one player (Cavaliers)." - Covers Experts' Steve Merril.
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INJURY REPORT:
Cavaliers - C K. Love (Questionable, Concussion).
Warriors - PF D. Green (Probable, Ankle), SF A. Iguodala (Out, Leg), SF C. Boucher (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (62-38 SU, 40-59-1 ATS, 46-52-2 O/U): Love suffered a concussion in Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics and has yet to pass the protocol and coach Tyronn Lue doesn't know if he will be available. Love, a five-time All-Star, was seen on the practice floor Wednesday and Lue did indicate that Love will start the contest if he is cleared to play. Love's presence would alleviate some pressure off James, who is averaging 34 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in a stellar postseason.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (70-29 SU, 43-55-1 ATS, 44-54-1 O/U): Veteran defensive stopper Andre Iguodala (left leg) will miss his fifth consecutive contest, leaving Golden State without a player who typically shadows James. "Well, he was MVP of the series in 2015, largely because he took that role on of guarding LeBron, but also because of what he did offensively," Kerr told reporters in reference to Iguodala's importance. "He's doing a little bit better. Some encouraging signs, but we have ruled him out for Game 1." Kerr did the duty of guarding James will be spread among at least four players - forwards Kevin Durant and Draymond Green and guards Klay Thompson and Shaun Livingston.
CHEERLEADER BATTLE:
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers' last 4 road games.
* Under is 5-0 in Warriors' last 5 overall.
* Under is 8-2-2 in the last 12 meetings in Golden State.
Click here for complete list of hot and cold trends.
COVERS CONSENSUS:
53 percent of pointspread bets are on the underdog Cleveland Cavaliers while 59 percent of totals wagers are on the Over. Find up-to-date Covers Consensus numbers here.
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