It’s becoming a rite of spring. And an annual tradition. For the fourth consecutive year Cleveland and Golden State meet in the NBA Finals. The defending champion Warriors are prohibitive NBA betting online favorites to win the series. Golden State won two of the last three Finals between these two teams. That leads into the public betting perception. Also factoring is LeBron James. Its become more apparent that he is all Cleveland has. James carried the Cavaliers on his back yet again. They are in the Finals because of his will and skill.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors 2018 NBA Finals
Date and Time: Thursday, May 31, through Sunday, June 17, 2018
Location: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, California, Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | +12 (-110) | 214½ (-110) |  |
| Warriors | -12 (-110) | 214½ (-110) | |
| |||
Warriors vs. Cavaliers TV Coverage: ABC
Let the Games Begin
The best of seven NBA Finals open in Golden State. All games are set for a 9 p.m. ET tipoff time. Game one is May 31 with game two on June 3. The Series will shift to Cleveland for games three and four. The matchups are set for June 3 and June 6. If necessary game five is at Golden State on June 11. Game six would be at Cleveland on June 14. A seventh game would be at Golden State June 17.
Cleveland
Cleveland is coming off a grueling seven game series win over Boston. They won the Eastern Conference on the road in game seven. LeBron James was all clutch with 35 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. James has been sensational in the post season. He is averaging 34 points, nine assists and nine rebounds per matchup. Problematic is the drop-off on the Cavaliers after James. Kevin Love has the next best numbers with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Golden State
Golden State needed the full seven games to eliminate Houston in the Western Conference Finals. They also had to clinch on the road. The Warriors posted a 101-92 win in that seventh game at Houston. Kevin Durant had 34 points and Stephen Curry added 27. So far in post season Durant is averaging 29 points per game. Curry is averaging 25 per outing. Klay Thompson is quietly contributing 21 per tilt. Draymond Green is powering to 12 rebounds and eight assists per matchup.
Team vs. Team
Cleveland has covered just three of their last 10 playoff games at Golden State. Just three of those matchups went over the NBA betting online total. The Cavaliers are 4-3 against the sportsbook in home playoff games against the Warriors. Five of those most recent six Finals matchups at Cleveland went over the total. Heading into this series the Cavaliers have gone 7-4 vs. the spread. Five of their last seven have gone under the total. Entering the Finals the Warriors have gone 5-4 against the odds. Nine of their most recent ten have gone under.
Matchup to Watch
Depth is the NBA betting online matchup difference. Golden State boasts two superstars in Durant and Curry. Thompson and Green offer superior support. Cleveland has James and little else beyond perhaps Love.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA games Betting Odds Picks
The Golden State Warriors will repeat as NBA champions!
NBA Betting Online Pick: Golden State Warriors
NBA Betting Online Series Prediction: Warriors 4 games, Cavaliers 3 games