Wow, this is really happening. And to be honest when you watch Toronto play you wonder why anyone (this writer included) doubted them in the first place. The North showed composure and poise entering the second half after a poor first half showing, and led by the silent but deadly Kawhi Leonard shut the Oracle Arena crowd up, aside from the surprisingly significant number of Raptors fans in attendance. So here we are heading into Game 5 and we could be looking at the end of the 2019 NBA Finals if Toronto can carry their crazy momentum into Monday.
Going into this massive game, the sportsbook favors Toronto by 3-points (the spread opened at -3.5) while NBA series pricing now stands firmly in the Raptors corner over Golden State, giving them -700 odds to win the NBA Finals. The Raptors are the real deal, but can they close this thing at home or put fans on edge by giving the Warriors a window to sneak through back to Oakland for a Game 6?
Betting Preview for Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Finals Game 5 on June 10, 2019
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON
When: Monday, June 10, 2019, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors (+3) vs. Toronto Raptors (-3)
Series: Raptors lead, 3-1
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (57-25 Regular Season)
Kevin Durant has to come back and rescue the Warriors from a potentially embarrassing ending to their season. Through the first four games of the Finals, it has been made abundantly clear by the series that the Warriors can’t shrug off Toronto without their best player in Durant. However, it remains unclear whether Durant will play in Game 5. The closes thing to him coming back into action was a report of scheduled 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 scrimmages prior to Game 4’s 105-92 home loss to the Raptors, but until he gets back on the floor, he’ll just be another useless weapon for Golden State. In any case, Stephen Curry can’t allow to have inefficient game. Curry scored 27 points in Game 4, but was 9-for-22 and just 2-for-9 from behind the arc, with lots of his points coming when the Raptors were pulling away from Golden State. At least Thompson looked fine in his first game back after missing Game 3 with a hamstring injury, scoring 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting and 6-for-10 from deep.
Golden State is 3-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last five road games.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (58-24 Regular Season)
Sure, Kawhi Leonard balled out once again in Game 4, but his huge performance shouldn’t make people forget about the fantastic contribution of Serge Ibaka to Toronto’s win on Friday. Ibaka had 20 points off the bench with four rebounds and two blocks. He hustled his heart out, especially in the pivotal third quarter wherein the Raptors took over the lead and momentum for good. Ibaka’s dominance speaks just as much about his elite talent as about the Warriors’ weak spot in the frontcourt. DeMarcus Cousins isn’t showing up with his vintage form, and he’s unlikely to in this series, especially after dealing with an injury, while Kevon Looney is being force-played out of necessity. Going back to Leonard, the ever-reserved swingman put up 36 points on 11-for-22 shooting with five 3-pointers, while also grabbing 12 rebounds and getting four steals. The Raptors are playing at home on Monday, a perfect setting for them to win the franchise’s first-ever NBA title. Expect Leonard and company to be all out with less pressure to deliver, knowing that whatever happens, Game 7 will still be played in Toronto.
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games, and is 35-36-1 ATS after a win this season (playoffs included), covering 49.3% of the time.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto brings the first non-hockey championship (for real sports) to Canada, 110-104.
