The NBA Conference Finals get underway today with an intriguing match between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the eyes of many, the Thunder have over-achieved by getting to this point, eliminating the San Antonio Spurs along the way. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ title defence has begun with consecutive 4-1 series wins, despite playing six of ten games without unanimous MVP Steph Curry. Will Golden State continue to roll with Curry back in the starting lineup or can the Thunder add the biggest scalp of them all to their giant-killing playoff run?
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors
Fresh from victory in one of the most enthralling and ultimately surprising playoff series in recent memory, the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Oracle Arena for the first game of the Western Conference Finals, against the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Oracle has been the ultimate happy hunting ground for the home side, who are now a combined 45-2 at home for the season. It should therefore come as little surprise that this record includes going 2-0 by an average of 11.5, against the Thunder. Golden State went 3-0 against Oklahoma City in the regular season, with the two teams scoring 224 points or more in each contest. This is hardly a surprising trend, considering that these were the two most potent offensive forces in the NBA, through the regular season. A key factor is the manner in which the Warriors have asserted their dominance at the beginning of a series. Two of their three highest winning margins have come in the first match against the Rockets (26) and Trail Blazers (12). Even without the presence of Steph Curry, Warriors games continued to produce high scoring totals, with four of the five games against the regular season’s sixth-ranked offence coming to at least 224 points. When Curry returned in games four and five, the points totals skyrocketed to 257 (OT) and 246, with the now two-time MVP contributing 69 combined points. The Big Dog is well-and-truly with the Warriors to continuing their trend of strong starts and red-hot scoring, with the line/total double standing out as unquestionable value.
Selection
Golden State Warriors -7.5/Over 223.5 (Line/Total Points) @ $3.40 (Luxbet)
Tools
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