Cnotes 2017 NBA Finals - Picks, Trends, News !

[CNOTES]

Friday's NBA Finals Game 4 Betting Preview: Warriors at Cavaliers


"It's probably the most, most firepower I've played in my career. I played against some great teams, but I don't think no team has had this type of firepower." - LeBron James.


Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (+6, 228.5)


Warriors lead series 3-0


The Cleveland Cavaliers took their best shot and still fell short in Game 3 and now stand on the brink of elimination in the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers will try to begin a historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit and avoid starting the summer early when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 on Friday.


"I said it after we won the Eastern Conference finals that we're getting ready for a juggernaut," Cleveland star LeBron James told reporters of the Warriors. "It's probably the most, most firepower I've played in my career. I played against some great teams, but I don't think no team has had this type of firepower." That firepower allowed Golden State to overcome a six-point deficit in the final minutes of Wednesday's 118-113 triumph, capped by Kevin Durant's deep 3-pointer over James with 45 seconds to play. The Warriors improved to 15-0 in the postseason with the win and can become the first team in NBA history to sweep the postseason with a win on Friday. "I don't want to relax," Durant told reporters. "It's not over. This is a crazy game, anything can happen. I'm just trying to enjoy this moment, try not to look in the future or the past."


TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC


LINE HISTORY: The Warriors quickly opened as 6.5-point road favorites following their thrilling comeback victory in Game 3, but that line was quickly adjusted to 6 late Wednesday night. The total opened at 227 and was bet up to 228.5. Check out the complete line history here.


INJURY REPORT:


Warriors - SF K. Looney (Out Indefinitely, hip).


Cavaliers - C E. Tavares (Out For Season, hand).


ABOUT THE WARRIORS (82-15 SU, 51-43-3 ATS, 43-54 O/U): Durant scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday and is averaging 34 points on 56.1 percent shooting - 52.4 percent from beyond the arc - in the series. "He took over," Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters of Durant's Game 3 performance. "You can tell he knows this is his moment. He's been an amazing player in this league for a long time. He senses this is his time, his moment, his team." Durant isn't the only Warriors player enjoying a strong series as Stephen Curry continues to put the pain of last year's Finals loss in the rearview mirror by averaging 28.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and nine assists in the series.


ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (63-35 SU, 44-50-4 ATS, 58-39-1 O/U): Cleveland overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors in the Finals last spring but is aware that a tougher challenge exists this time around. "From a mental standpoint, there is no other option, other than to prepare for Game 4 as best you can. That's it," point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters. "This is as do or die as possible as I've ever faced in my career. So we understand what's at stake, our whole entire season. There's really no other decision, other than to leave it all out there." James is averaging 32 points on 55.4 percent shooting, 12.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in the series and Irving adds an average of 27 points, but the rest of the team is struggling to find a scoring rhythm.

TRENDS:


* Warriors are 12-0 ATS in their last 12 road games.
* Cavaliers are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
* Over is 7-1 in Warriors last 8 overall.
* Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Warriors are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.


CONSENSUS: 58 percent of users are siding with the home underdog Cleveland Cavaliers and 59 percent are on the Over.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA Finals Game 4 betting notes: Warriors on the brink of history


On Friday night in a northern Ohio city with a population of approximately 400,000 people known as Cleveland, the Golden State Warriors will attempt to become just the ninth team in National Basketball Association history to sweep their way through the NBA Finals and the first and only franchise to record a picture perfect 16-0 record during the postseason.


Between the hot-take Thursday media cycle and the fact that the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened the Warriors as 6-point road favorites for Game 4, few are giving LeBron James and the Cavaliers any chance of forcing this year’s iteration of the NBA Finals back to the Bay Area.


Nor should they. This is the 127th time in NBA history that one franchise has jumped out to a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series over another. And in the previous 126 instances in which this situation has played out before, only 35 teams have forced a Game 5, with just 10 clubs making it to a Game 6 and only three teams advancing all the way to a Game 7.


Between Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, a deep bench and the motivating factor to end all motivating factors in revenge on their side, it’s hard to see the Golden State Warriors, who have lost just one game since March 12, coming up short in Cleveland on Friday night. The real question we should be asking is whether or not the Cavaliers are capable of covering the 6-point spread.


Since 1990, only three teams have been swept right out of the NBA Finals. In 1995, the Orlando Magic lost by 12 points in Houston in Game 4 as 3.5-point underdogs. In 2002, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Nets on the road by six points to close out the series despite entering the matchup as 4.5-point underdogs. And in 2007, LeBron James and the Cavaliers fell 83-82 at home to San Antonio as 2.5-point underdogs.


Perhaps the King and his band of exhausted, beaten-down men will find a way to force a Game 5 back in Oakland. Perhaps the Cavs get annihilated on their home court and depart quickly thereafter for a tropical vacation. Either way, for those of you who are interested in finding an edge outside of the Game 4 side and total, here are six factoids you should highly consider in the build-up to Friday night’s showdown:


1. Lay the points with the Warriors in the first quarter: Golden State has finished each of the last two regular seasons ranked first in the NBA in both first quarter scoring average and first quarter scoring differential. And through three games so far this series, the Dubs have outscored the Cavaliers 35-30, 40-34 and 39-32 during the first quarter of the NBA Finals, respectively. If you’re looking for a quarter to bet, bet the Warriors in the opening 12 minutes.


2. While you’re at it, lay the points with the Warriors in the fourth quarter: Whether they’re ahead by a mile or trailing on the road, Golden State has dominated the fourth quarter against Cleveland in this series, winning 20-19 in Game 1, 30-25 in Game 2 and 29-19 in Game 3. Keep this in mind as either a pregame wager or a live bet just before the commencement of the final 12-minute stanza.


3. Look for another big effort from Kyrie Irving: In two road blowout defeats, the Cleveland point guard was held in check by Klay Thompson’s stifling defense to the tune of just 43 total points through 96 minutes. That may not seem like a bad effort, but when you’re shooting only 40.0 percent from the field and your scoring total for each game is a lofty 25.5 points, that’s a far cry from effective. But Irving found his stroke at Quicken Loans Arena in Game 3 en route to a 38-point performance thanks, in large part, to the fact that the close nature of the game kept him on the floor in the fourth quarter unlike during the Oakland blowouts. If you had to lean in one direction as it pertains to Irving in Game 4, lean to an offensive explosion.


4. Keep an close eye on the first half over: The Warriors and Cavaliers combined for 112 points in the first half of Game 1, 131 points in the first half of Game 2 and 128 points in the first half of Game 3. Needless to say, defense has been somewhat optional during the first 24 minutes of the NBA Finals.


5. Fade Tristan Thompson in every way imaginable: To date, Thompson’s 2017 NBA Finals run can be summed up with the following statistical information: Through three games, the Cleveland power forward has recorded 11 total rebounds. In Game 3 alone, Golden State point guard Steph Curry, who stands seven inches shorter than Thompson, notched 13 rebounds. The curse of the Kardashian Family strikes again.


6. Bombs away: Combined, the Warriors and Cavaliers are averaging 25.6 converted three pointers during the NBA Finals. Game by game, here’s what it looks like:


Game 1: 23


Game 2: 26


Game 3: 28

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel


Friday, June 9



Golden State @ Cleveland


Game 707-708
June 9, 2017 @ 9:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
139.709
Cleveland
131.870
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8
236
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 6
228
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-6); Over








NBA
Long Sheet


Friday, June 9


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GOLDEN STATE (82 - 15) at CLEVELAND (63 - 35) - 6/9/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) on Friday nights this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 51-43 ATS (+3.7 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 102-84 ATS (+9.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-24 ATS (+15.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games in all playoff games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) when leading in a playoff series this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 13-9 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 14-8 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up


Friday, June 9


Warriors outscored Cleveland 11-0 over final 3:10 to win Game 3 on road, after winning first two Finals games by 22-19 points; Golden State is 15-0 in playoffs, 7-0 on road, also covering all seven road games— they won their last four games with Cleveland, by 35-22-19-5 points. Four of last six series games stayed under the total; under is 7-3-1 in last 11 series tilts. Warriors lost three of last five games in Cleveland, but can clinch second NBA title in three years here. Over is 6-1 in Warriors’ last seven games. Cavaliers are 5-2 at home in playoffs (2-5 vs spread)- six of those seven games went over.


NBA Finals
Cleveland-Golden State
GState 113-91, U225
GState 132-113, O222
GState 118-113, -3.5, O227








NBA


Friday, June 9


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Trend Report
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9:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Golden State
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, JUNE 9


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


GS at CLE 09:00 PM


GS -6.0


O 227.5

 

[CNOTES]

LeBron, Cavs end Warriors perfect playoffs
June 9, 2017


CLEVELAND (AP) The Cavaliers stopped Golden State's perfect postseason and maybe started another comeback.


Just like last year, the NBA Finals are at 3-1 after four games.


LeBron James recorded a triple-double, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points and Cleveland outperformed the NBA's most electrifying offense in a testy Game 4 filled with technical fouls on Friday night, beating the Warriors 137-116 and snapping their 15-game playoff winning streak.


''We just kept our composure,'' James said. ''We shared the ball, we moved the ball and defensively we were physical.''


A series that appeared to be headed for a quick conclusion is California bound for Game 5 on Monday night.


The Cavs set scoring records in the first half and then held on during a wild third and fourth quarter that included technical fouls, James jawing with fellow superstar Kevin Durant and Cleveland's crowd roaring like a jet engine.


No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs.


But until the Cavs did it last year, no team had ever rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the Finals. Cleveland took Game 3 at home, lost Game 4 and then won the final three games - Game 7 in Oakland - to capture the city's first sports championship since 1964.


As the final seconds ticked off, Cleveland fans chanted ''Cavs in 7.''


The Warriors had swept their first three series and were 48 minutes away from a party they've been planning for a year. But it's on hold and Golden State fans are holding their breath.


Durant, still one win from the coveted championship he left Oklahoma City to get, scored 35 but got little help from Stephen Curry, who scored 14 on 4-of-13 shooting.


James finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth career triple-double in the Finals, breaking the record of eight held by Magic Johnson.


Kevin Love added 23 points for Cleveland, which made 24 3-pointers and finished the first half with a jaw-dropping 86 points.


If not for Cleveland's Kyle Korver missing a 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 3, the series would be 2-2.


In any event, the Cavs are still breathing and it's now the Warriors who may be feeling the pressure after blowing a 3-1 lead last June.


The third quarter featured a confusing sequence and a scramble on the floor that resulted in two technical, a friend of James being escorted from the arena and back and forth flurries worthy of a heavyweight boxing match.


At one point, it was announced that Golden State's Draymond Green had been given his second technical foul and security came onto the floor to usher the volatile forward to the locker room. However, a technical assessed to him in the first half was actually called on Warriors coach Steve Kerr, leading to the confusion.


Later, Warriors center Zaza Pachulia was involved in a pileup of players in the foul lane and he delivered two swipes to Iman Shumpert's groin area as the referees tried to get control. Pachulia could have been tossed, but was only given a technical as was Shumpert. As this was being sorted out, Todd Leebow, a friend of James who was sitting with the three-time champion's business partners, got involved in an argument with Golden State's bench and was asked to leave.


The Cavs were determined not to let the Warriors celebrate on their floor for the second time in three years, and it was Cleveland, not Golden State, which busted Finals scoring records in the first half. Cleveland scored 49 in the first quarter and 86 during a dizzying opening 24 minutes that left players and fans gasping for air.


And beyond their firepower, the Cavs did it on defense, holding the up-and-down Warriors without a single fast-break point.


With their crowd hanging on every dribble, pass and shot, the Cavaliers came out flying.


Cleveland built an early 16-point lead and for the first extended time the series the defending champions looked and played like the superior team at both ends.


Golden State clawed within seven, but then the Warriors began fouling and Kerr got nailed with his technical - one of seven in the game. Fueled by the outburst, the Cavs went on a 12-2 run capped by a 3-pointer from Love and dunk by 36-year-old Richard Jefferson, who earlier in the day said he and his teammates would approach the 3-0 deficit like a marathon, ''one step at a time.''


They've taken the first.


TIP-INS


Warriors: Were trying to become the first team to complete a postseason unbeaten. There have been two one-loss champions: the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers (15-1) and 1983 Philadelphia 76ers (12-1). ... Comedian Kevin Hart and NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. were among the courtside celebrities. ... Before the game, Kerr, who missed 11 playoff games because of back pain, said his decision to return to the bench for Game 2 in the Finals was easy. ''It's just fun,'' he said, ''and I felt better. And that was my barometer. If I felt better, I was going to do it.''


Cavaliers: James jumped Michael Jordan (1,176) on the Finals scoring list, and hopped over His Airness (1,463) for the most made free throws in pro basketball's showcase event. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,317) and Mr. Logo himself, Jerry West (1,679) have scored more points in the Finals. ... General manager David Griffin's contract expires after the season, and it's not clear if he will be re-signed by owner Dan Gilbert. Griffin took over after Chris Grant was fired in 2014 and has been responsible for overhauling a roster that is the highest paid in the league. ... Reserve guard Dahntay Jones was called for a technical in the first half for trash talking with Durant.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack


Well-known actors/actresses who were villains on Batman:


— Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, Lee Meriwether- Catwoman


— Vincent Price, Egghead


— Roddy McDowall, Bookworm


— Frank Gorshin, John Astin- Riddler


— Milton Berle, Louie the Lilac


— Joan Collins, Siren


**********


Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend…….


13) The 2017 Golden State Warriors are competing against the 2017 Cavaliers, not the 1970 Knicks or the ’85 Lakers or Jordan’s Bulls or Russell’s Celtics. They’re trying to win this year’s championship, and thats it, no matter what bored people rant about on social media.


They’re trying to win THIS YEAR’s CHAMPIONSHIP, thats it. Fans always think when their team wins it is the greatest thing ever, because for them, it was. For me, Super Bowl XXXIV is the greatest football game ever played. Most people would disagree with that, but thats the beauty of sports/discussion, we all have our opinions.


12) The hotel in Oakland that the Warriors practice in is hosting the National Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, starting Monday. Insert your own joke here.


11) On the Marlins game Saturday, they were discussing whether or not it is a good idea for every team to be represented at the All-Star Game.


I rooted for the 1979 A’s, a truly dreadful (54-108) team that was just a bad team, other than a very young Rickey Henderson, Dwayne Murphy and a couple decent pitchers.


One of the few highlights that season was when Jeff Newman was introduced before the All-Star Game in Seattle, as the A’s only representative. It was like, “Yeah, we suck but we have nice uniforms.”


So I’m in favor of each team being represented.


10) Saturday, 17 people (11 adults, six kids) were pelted with goose droppings at Disneyland in Anaheim. Actual geese did the damage from up above. Thats the definition of a crappy day.


9) Texas Tech signed a 19-year old Italian guard as a recruit to join the Red Raiders this fall. Davide Moretti scored 14.8 pts/game for the Italian team in the U18 World Championships.


Recruiting is so damn competitive now, teams look for players wherever you can find them. I’m guessing it is a very long journey from Italy to Lubbock, TX.


8) 2020 Olympics will have 3-on-3 basketball, but sounds like it will be without NBA players.


7) Damien Jefferson is transferring from New Mexico’s basketball program, the sixth Lobo to transfer since last season ended.


6) Random update: Tim Tebow is hitting .223 in the Class A South Atlantic League.


5) Georgia Tech’s punter is giving up his last year of college football in order to study at a seminary— he is going to become a priest.


4) How small market teams try to do things (for better or worse, mostly worse):


November 5, 2009, the A’s got Matt Holliday from Colorado for Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith and Huston Street. Smith was a lefty pitcher, Street is obviously still a (oft-injured) closer and CarGo is a fine player for the Rockies.


Holliday played 93 games for Oakland, then on July 24, he was traded to St Louis, for Clayton Mortenson (P), Shane Peterson (OF) and Brett Wallace (DH-type). Not good.


Holliday was a free agent after 2010, which is why the deals were made in the first place. He re-signed with the Cardinals.


You can hire all the Ivy League geniuses you want in the front office, but that Ivy League degree looks a lot less glossy when you screw things up this badly. I’d go over the Cespedes and Josh Donaldson trades, but I don’t want to puke on my laptop.


Oakland’s record since the Cespedes trade on July 31, 2014: 186-255. I’ll stop now.


3) In the interest of fairness, A’s did same thing with Ben Zobrist, who was with Oakland for less than one season, before they dealt him to the Royals on July 28, for two minor league pitchers, one of which was Sean Manaea, who has great promise.


So if you replenish your young pitching, it can be worth it; if you don’t, its a freaking disaster.


2) Major league baseball amateur draft is Monday; think it is 40 rounds now over a couple days. Baseball is different than other sports in that these kids get drafted, then disappear into the minor leagues before some of them resurface in the majors a couple years from now


1) It never gets old when a kid makes his major league debut, and they show his family in the stands; the mom is usually crying, the dad is trying to act cool and everyone else in the group is going crazy rooting for the kid. It is the culmination of many years of effort; what a feeling that must be.


Minnesota Twins have the #1 pick; they’re in first place now. Last team to draft first while they were in first place? The 2001 Twins, when they drafted Joe Mauer.

 

[CNOTES]

Monday's NBA Finals Game 5 Betting Preview: Cavaliers at Warriors


Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-8.5, 230.5)


Warriors lead series 3-1


The Cleveland Cavaliers avoided the sweep and aim to remain alive again on Monday when they visit the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers rolled to an impressive 137-116 victory in Game 4 when they drained a Finals' record 24 3-pointers and badly outplayed Golden State.


Cleveland exposed the Warriors' defense with Finals' records for first-quarter points (49) and halftime points (86) and received a sensational offensive performance from point guard Kyrie Irving. "The magnitude of the games, especially the last game, it hit me in a very deep place," Irving said after his 40-point performance. "Just you want to play extremely well and you understand that's a do-or-die game." Golden State blew a 3-1 series lead while losing to the Cavaliers in last season's Finals but continue to say it is a different team - one that won its first 15 postseason games prior to being spanked on Friday. "I don't think there was any concern or thoughts about history," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "I think it was we played a desperate team on their home floor, a great team, with great players, and they came out and handed it to us. Simple as that."


TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 8.5-point home favorites for Game 5 and the total hit the board at a massive 230.5. Neither number has moved thus far.


INJURY REPORT:


Cavaliers - C E. Tavares (Out For Season, hand).


Warriors - C Z. Pachulia (Questionable, possible suspension), SF K. Looney (Out Indefinitely, hip).


ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (64-35 SU, 45-50-4 ATS, 59-39-1 O/U): Irving is averaging 39 points over the past two games and 30.3 for the series as he continues to raise his growing reputation as a big-time player. "He's just been built for that moment," Cleveland star forward LeBron James told reporters. "I said that over and over again - that he's always been built for the biggest moments, and he showed that once again. It's not surprising. He's just that special." James isn't doing so bad himself with averages of 31.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10.5 assists and he posted his ninth career playoff triple-double in Game 4 to break a tie with legendary Magic Johnson for most all-time.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (82-16 SU, 51-44-3 ATS, 44-54 O.U): Forward Draymond Green's absence in Game 5 of last season's Finals due to his accumulation of technical fouls helped fuel Cleveland's comeback but Green says the situation is different this season as the reminders increase. "I'm sure that's just the world we live in," Green told reporters. "But we were up 3-0 (this year). We weren't up 3-0 last year. So, it's a little different. And at the end of the day, the series is a little different. Thank God I get to play in Game 5." Green's offense has been much quieter than his vocal cords as he is averaging 11.3 points on just 35.6 percent shooting to go along with 9.8 rebounds per game.


TRENDS:


* Cavaliers are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. Western Conference.
* Warriors are 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 11-1 in Warriors last 12 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 7-1-2 in the last 10 meetings in Golden State.

CONSENSUS: 60 percent of users are siding with the road underdog Cleveland Cavaliers and 63 percent are on the Over.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel


Monday, June 12



Cleveland @ Golden State


Game 709-710
June 12, 2017 @ 9:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
132.208
Golden State
139.371
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 7
227
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 9
231 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+9); Under








NBA
Long Sheet


Monday, June 12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CLEVELAND (64 - 35) at GOLDEN STATE (82 - 16) - 6/12/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CLEVELAND is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) in non-conference games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 109-89 ATS (+11.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 102-85 ATS (+8.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 87-64 ATS (+16.6 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games against Central division opponents this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-25 ATS (+14.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 56-34 ATS (+18.6 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when leading in a playoff series this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) in home games after allowing 130 points or more since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 13-10 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 14-9 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
13 of 21 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------







NBA


Monday, June 12


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Trend Report
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9:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Cleveland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Golden State's last 9 games

 

[CNOTES]

Game 5 - Cavaliers at Warriors
June 11, 2017


They finished just short of history.


One season after breaking the NBA record for most wins in a season with 73, the Warriors were on the verge of becoming the first team to finish the postseason undefeated following a 15-0 start. Golden State returns home on Monday, but not for a parade across the Bay Area. The Warriors have three shots to capture their second championship in three seasons, as Steve Kerr’s squad is back at Oracle Arena for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers.


Cleveland blitzed Golden State on Friday with a first quarter barrage for the ages by posting an NBA Finals-record 49 points in the first 12 minutes. The Cavaliers didn’t let up from there as they kept their season alive with a 137-116 blowout of the Warriors to easily cash as five-point home underdogs.


Kyrie Irving lit up the Warriors in consecutive games at Quicken Loans Arena as the Cavaliers’ guard followed up a 38-point effort in Game 3 by dropping 40 points on Golden State in Game 4. Irving failed to knock down a shot from long range in seven attempts in Game 3, but connected on seven treys in Game 4, while Cleveland torched Golden State for 24 three-pointers.


LeBron James did his usual thing for Cleveland by scoring 31 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, while jawing with Golden State counterpart Kevin Durant in a hotly-contested matchup. Durant held up his end of the bargain in Game 4 by posting 35 points, although he shot 9-of-22 from the floor. Through four games in the Finals, Durant is averaging 34.2 points per game, while putting up at least 29 points in eight of his previous 10 postseason contests.


No other Warrior besides Durant scored more than 16 points, as KD’s running mate, Stephen Curry registered only 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Curry’s lowest output in last year’s Finals was 11 points in the series opener, as the two-time MVP was held without field goal in the opening quarter in Game 4. Golden State shot poorly from downtown by converting 11-of-39 three-point attempts, including a combined 4-of-18 from Curry and Durant.


Cleveland improved to 4-0 in its last four games facing elimination dating back to last year’s epic Finals comeback against Golden State. The catalyst to the 2016 comeback was the Game 5 suspension of Golden State’s do-it-all man Draymond Green, following his punch to James’ nether region. Green was on his way to getting tossed from Game 4, but confusion on an earlier technical kept the former Michigan State star in the game as the Warriors will have his services for Game 5.


In the last two NBA Finals, the eventual champion won the title on the road, as Golden State can buck that trend by winning on Monday in Oakland. The Warriors own a 4-4 ATS record at Oracle Arena in the playoffs, with two of those covers coming in the first two games against the Cavaliers.


Bettors playing the ‘over’ (227 ½) in Game 4 were lighting up cigars and drinking champagne at the end of the first quarter on Friday as both clubs couldn’t miss. It was never in doubt and it’s been a common theme in the playoffs. Including that result, the ‘over’ is now 3-1 in this NBA Finals and the high side has produced an eye-opening 47-30-1 (61%) in this year’s postseason and that includes a 24-10 (71%) record after the first round.


Oddsmakers sent out a total of 231 for Monday’s matchup and a few betting shops have already nudged the total up to 232.


VegasInsider.com NBA analyst Chris David offered up his thoughts on Friday’s action and what to look for in Game 5.


“A lot of old school pundits aren’t enjoying the new-look NBA and often point to the lack of defense and physical play. The point is well taken but the rules have changed and so has the talent on the floor. The amount of elite shooters in today’s game is far superior to the past and that was evident on Friday when Cleveland shot 53 percent (24-of-45) from distance and broke a handful of NBA records by doing so. Before the series started, I predicted Golden State to sweep but I also noted that the Cavaliers could sweep if they continued to light it up from the outside,” said David.


“The Cavaliers are sloppy defensively and allowing 36 trips to the free throw line would’ve sent you home on any other night if it wasn’t for your hot shooting. Other surprising numbers that stood out from Friday were the lack of field goal attempts taken by both Curry (13) and Klay Thompson (11), which were well below their averages. Knowing that Cleveland’s defense is limited and allowing 119.8 PPG in this series, leaning to Golden State’s team total (120) in Game 5 appears to a solid lean.”


Including Friday’s result, Golden State has watched the ‘over’ go 12-4 (75%) in the playoffs while Cleveland is 12-5 (71%) to the high side.


The first quarter has gone ‘over’ in every game of this series despite seeing numbers get as high as 61 for the opening 12 minutes. The ‘over’ has gone 3-1 in the first-half but the ‘under’ is 3-1 in the second-half.


VegasInsider.com handicapper Tony Mejia believes whoever wins Game 5 will heat up from distance, "After hitting an NBA record 24 3-pointers, the Cavs look to stay alive in Oakland and must continue to stay hot from beyond the arc. Between J.R. Smith finally finding the range and Kyle Korver doing his thing off the bench, Cleveland has to find a way to remain potent from the perimeter. They were 19-for-60 from 3-point range in the first two games at Oracle Arena and can't afford a poor shooting game if they're going to extend the series. Count on them needing 20 3-pointers to have a chance to steal Game 5 and extend the NBA Finals once again."


Prior to the series at Sportsbook.ag, the Warriors were listed at 5/2 odds (Bet $100 to win $250) to beat the Cavaliers in five games. That line has moved to -330 (Bet $330 to win $100) at Sportsbook.ag, while Golden State is listed at 5/1 odds to grab the title in six games. In case you believe in divine intervention, the Cavaliers are 10/1 to win their second straight championship and become the first NBA team ever to win a playoff series after trailing 3-0.

 

[CNOTES]

Warriors' Green will be there for Game 5
June 11, 2017


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) A year ago for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Golden State general manager Bob Myers sat alongside suspended forward Draymond Green next-door to Oracle Arena in a suite at the Oakland Athletics game.


Myers told Green: Let's not do this again.


On Monday night, the Warriors will try again to close out their second championship in three years with the fiery Green on the court to start Game 5 this time. They are up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series - again. LeBron James and Cleveland, looking down and out only days ago in an 0-3 hole, now have some momentum after winning Game 4 and they will try to stave off elimination once more.


''We won three games in a row in the Finals and 15 in a row overall in the playoffs, you just think it's going to happen,'' Green said Sunday. ''And then all of a sudden you get slapped in the face. It's like, `Whoa.' You remember what can be, what can happen.''


Golden State would rather forget that monumental collapse last year, when Green's absence for Game 5 because of flagrant foul point accumulation helped swing the series. He took a swipe at James' groin in Game 4 after the Cavaliers superstar stepped over him.


Myers chose to stay with Green as he sat out that game last June.


''When we were there last year I think I looked at him and said: `Let's just never do this again. Let's make sure you're playing and I get to watch. This doesn't feel right, let's avoid this, move forward,''' Myers recalled. ''Whatever he's doing, he should keep doing it. And look, he hasn't lost any of the intensity and he hasn't lost his edge. That's the hardest challenge, when you have that type of emotions, to channel it. And he's really been able to do that. Like I said, I think because of experience.''


Green said his suspension conversation with Myers is a moment ''I remember like it was yesterday, I'll never forget it.''


If the Warriors can close out the tough-to-eliminate Cavs on Monday, they would become the first Bay Area team to capture a championship at home since the A's finished the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1974 World Series.


James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love know they aren't out of this yet - after all, they came back from a daunting deficit a year ago on the way to the city's first major team sports title in 52 years. Sure, it will be a tall task in Oakland with a motivated Kevin Durant trying to capture his first career title and playing like a possible Finals MVP.


''We know that champions don't die. They don't just lay down and die,'' Durant said.


The Cavs showed what they're capable of doing when everything clicks on both ends, scoring a record 86 points in the first half of Friday's 137-116 win to extend the series and postpone any Warriors plans for a victory parade.


But that was in Cleveland.


''We have to be 20 times better in this building,'' said James, who has won at least one road game in 29 straight postseason series.


Golden State knows it too must make adjustments, including getting a hand in the face of the Cavs' sharpshooters after surrendering a Finals record 24 3-pointers Friday, seven of those by Irving during his 40-point masterpiece. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said it all starts with better on-ball defense.


Durant said he can accept when Cleveland hits a contested 3, but not those when nobody closes out so shooters have ample time and long, open looks.


''You can make a sandwich before somebody even gets out there,'' Durant said of how it seemed in Game 4.


Green has stayed just on the right side of the line this postseason, not in danger of an automatic suspension for technicals or flagrant accumulation.


''Maybe more measured,'' Myers said, comparing Green from last year to now. ''He's confining his intensity in a more narrow lane, meaning sometimes he would spill over in areas. But he's learned how to focus that intensity. And also perspective and experience. There's no substitute for experiencing winning a championship and losing one for what else you need to know as a player.''


James, too, understands. He's been on both sides the previous two years.


He was asked whether this might be the game the Warriors feel they must get.


''No, I feel this is the game we've got to get,'' he said, ''or it's over.''

 

[CNOTES]

Irving saves best when facing elimination
June 11, 2017


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Whether it's his lightning quick dribble, supreme confidence that doesn't seem to waver or ability to score from almost anywhere on the court, Kyrie Irving seems to be at his best when things look the bleakest for the Cleveland Cavaliers.


LeBron James said his teammate is built for the drama of an NBA Finals elimination game, a trait the Golden State Warriors have learned all too well these past two years.


Whether it's extending a season with a pair of 40-point performances or hitting the series-deciding 3-pointer in a Game 7 win last year, Irving's already stellar game has risen to another level whenever the Cavs have faced elimination.


''It's a time to definitely show everything that you're made of in those moments,'' Irving said Sunday on the eve of another elimination game with Cleveland trailing the Warriors 3-1 in the NBA Finals.


''You never want to be in those moments of elimination games, but when you are, you want to be as prepared as possible. And regardless of any situation, I always feel like if I do a great job of giving confidence in my teammates and remaining calm in the situation.''


Cleveland has won four straight Finals elimination games, rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to win the championship last year and then winning 137-116 in Game 4 on Friday night to extend this series.


Irving scored 40 points in the Game 5 win at Golden State last year, hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 7 and scored 40 more on Friday, raising his average in those elimination games to 32.5 points per game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there have been only seven times a player scored at least 40 points to win when facing elimination in the Finals and Irving and James have each done it twice the past two years. Elgin Baylor did it twice in the 1960s and Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1970 for the Lakers.


''We love how aggressive Kyrie's been, and it's been great for our team, obviously, with his individual ability to make shots and to take big shots and to knock them down,'' James said. ''That's been key for our team. And for the rest of us, we have to do everything else.''


Irving played just one game before injuring his knee in the first Finals meeting between these teams in 2015. He has been the barometer for Cleveland the past two years around the constant greatness from James.


Irving has scored nearly seven more points per game in Cavs wins than losses in the past two Finals with the biggest difference being his long-range shooting; he is shooting 27 percent in the six losses and 53 percent in the five wins.


That was especially evident in the Game 4 win when Irving hit seven of Cleveland's record-setting 24 3-pointers.


''That's a big difference,'' Golden State guard Klay Thompson said. ''When he's getting 39 points off 2s, you can live with that. When he's extending the floor and hitting those 3s, it opens the floor for everybody. We can't let him do that again. We have to limit that number to two or three. Seven is too many.''


Thompson has spent most of the series chasing Irving around the court like a yellow lab who keeps chasing a ball, at least that's how it looks at times to coach Steve Kerr. Thompson frustrated Irving early, holding him to 40 percent shooting the first two games.


But after getting moved off the ball at times, Irving played much better in the two games at home. He scored 38 points in the Game 3 loss before his big Game 4 performance.


''I think that in Game 1 and 2, as well as part of 3, just definitely got caught up in trying to find that rhythm with the basketball in my hands,'' Irving said. ''But as long as collectively as a group that everyone feels good, then my opportunities will come on breakdowns from their defense and offensively and things that we can be sharper at. I have to be implementing in those opportunities, and the way to do that is just being an open screener, being just a willing sacrificer, and the opportunities will come.


''And when those opportunities come, then you kill it.''

 

[CNOTES]

Cavs' Lue pleased by feisty turn to Finals
June 12, 2017


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Seven technical fouls, one flagrant foul, stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant jawing at each other and several other dustups.


For Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue, the physical turn the NBA Finals took in Game 4 is just what he wanted and is the recipe he hopes the Cavaliers will follow for the rest of the series against the Golden State Warriors.


''Me personally, I liked it,'' Lue said Sunday. ''I thought the first two games we were being too nice. The first three games, helping guys up off the floor, smiling, talking to guys and - yeah, I didn't like that. So I think Game 4, talking trash, being physical, whatever you got to do to try to get that edge to win, you got to do it.''


The Cavs look to carry that same mindset into Game 5, when they once again try to stave off elimination.


After two straight Golden State blowouts to open the series and a thrilling comeback in Game 3, things turned feisty in Game 4 as the teams that are meeting in a third straight Finals showed some animosity.


James said the Cavs were upset about comments from Golden State's Draymond Green about wanting to celebrate a title on Cleveland's floor for the second time in three seasons.


The game started off with an edge and things really took off in the third quarter. It started when Durant took exception to a blow to the head from Kevin Love that led to a flagrant foul and a face-to-face confrontation with James.


It escalated late in the third after a scramble to the floor for a loose ball led to a jump ball. Cleveland's Iman Shumpert stood over Pachulia and tried to grab the ball after the whistle. Pachulia then delivered two swipes to Shumpert's groin area, leading to technical fouls on both players.


''It was totally between the lines and with the respect of the rules,'' Pachulia said of the physical play. ''Nothing has crossed the line. It's emotional. It's possibly the last game of the season, so you definitely don't want to give up anything easy. We know it's not going to be an easy game for us. We're going to earn it.''


The more physical play appeared to be just the thing to get Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson unleashed. A key player the past two years because of his relentless rebounding and hard-nosed play, Thompson had been mostly invisible the first three games with just 11 rebounds.


Thompson had 10 alone in Game 4, including four on the offensive end that gave Cleveland extra opportunities to score and prevented the Warriors from getting out in the break.


''T-Lue has been saying that since Game 1, the team that has the starting lineup that comes out and sets the tone early and is more physical one through five will definitely have the advantage in the game,'' Thompson said. ''We did that Game 4 and we got to have that same type of effort and even more in Game 5.''


That's exactly the attitude Lue wants rather than the congeniality the bothered him so much at the start of a series between teams that have so much respect for each other.


''They're coming right after us, so we have to get after them,'' he said. ''I don't see anything's funny or anything's to smile about. So hitting and being physical and just everything they do to us in the first three games, we have to do that. Last game, in Game 4, I thought that's who we are. Got to be physical. If it's talking trash or knocking guys on the floor, whatever you got to do, you got to do it.''