The best USA betting sites favor the Toronto Raptors by one point over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1. The Raptors shocked the world by rattling off four straight wins over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. According to the best online sportsbooks, Toronto entered two of those games as underdogs. Meanwhile, the Warriors swept the Portland Trailblazers to the surprise of absolutely no one. It’s business as usual for the Dubs. And to a lesser degree for small forward Kawhi Leonard. But for the Raptors franchise as a whole, this is terra ignota. As old maps used to say, here be dragons. Notwithstanding which the Toronto team is looking to continue making history. “We’re not satisfied because we want to win the championship,” Raptors President Masai Ujiri said. Huh. Call me crazy, but Ujiri doesn’t sound very Canadian.
Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors Odds
- Date: Thursday May 30, 2019
- Time: 9:00 PM (EDT)
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario
- Odds from GTBets.eu:
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | +1 (-110) | 214½ (-110) | -102 |  |
| Raptors | -1 (-110) | 214½ (-110) | -118 | |
|
||||
Betting Golden State
Kevin Durant might miss Game 1, if not the entire NBA Finals. However, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were winning titles while KD was playing second fiddle to Russell Westbrook. Moreover, the jury is still out on whether or not the Warriors are actually better sans Durant. For example, Business Insider reports that “Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard said Durant’s “worst nightmare” has come true, as the Warriors have proven they don’t need him.” I’d say Thunderstruck is the stuff of his bad dreams, but I get the point.
Per the best sports betting sites, Golden State is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on three days’ rest or more. 2-6 ATS in their last eight games playing an Eastern Conference team. 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games overall. And 2-5-1 ATS in the last eight meetings with Toronto. Additionally, the underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in this matchup. The over is 4-1-1 in the Warriors’ last six games on the road.
Betting Toronto
The Raptors were denied the NBA Finals by LeBron James the previous three seasons. James’s departure for the yellower pastures of LA was every bit as good for Toronto as it was bad for Cleveland. LeBron is the only man to have tarnished the legacy of the Warriors. Sort of like Brock Lesnar snapping The Undertaker’s Wrestlemania streak. Like Bill Skarsgård playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Kawhi Leonard has some big shoes to fill. So far he has been up for the task. Leonard is averaging 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in the postseason. Though he doesn’t “care about being the best player. I want to be the best team. I’ve always said that. . . . We’re in the Finals, and we’re not done yet.”
Toronto is -8 ATS in their last nine games playing on three or more days’ rest. 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Western Conference. And 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall. The under is 13-6 in the Raptors’ last 19 games overall.
Pick: The Warriors are a winning team with or without Kevin Durant. However, his absence should not be taken lightly either. The Raptors’ defense could very conceivably neutralize a Durant-less Golden State offense. Thus providing the offense with enough wiggle room to remain one step ahead. Users of the best sports betting sites should feel confident about Toronto’s chances. Provide, that is, that KD doesn’t play.
