The Toronto Raptors host their first-ever NBA Finals game on Thursday night as very short favourites over the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Durant hasn’t played since Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals due to a calf strain and isn’t expected before Game 3 of this series (if at all). It’s possible that DeMarcus Cousins plays in Game 1. He hasn’t since Game 2 of the first round vs. the Clippers. Iguodala missed Game 4 of the West Finals with a calf injury but should play Thursday.
NBA Finals Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Somewhat unusual that the Warriors are Game 1 underdogs, albeit barely, yet are favoured to win their fourth NBA title in the past five seasons. The favourite for Finals MVP is Steph Curry (-125), who has yet to win that award in his Hall of Fame career. Kevin Durant (+1000) won it the past two years and Andre Iguodala (+2500) did in 2015.
Both Durant and Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard (+300 for Finals MVP) are free agents after this season, and most believe that Durant is going to leave the Warriors. Might be hard for Leonard to do the same if the Raptors win their first NBA title, although he’s known to want to play in his hometown of Los Angeles.
The underdog has covered the past four between the Raptors and Warriors. The total has gone over in all four.
Golden State Warriors
Durant will go down as one of the best players in NBA history, but the Warriors are an insane 31-1 in games he misses but Curry plays. The team has posted a 28-18 mark with Curry out of the lineup and Durant in. Curry and Draymond Green especially have raised their games since Durant’s injury and both had a triple-double in the clinching Game 4 of the West Finals against Portland. Golden State is 29-1 all-time in games Green has a triple-double.
Since the NBA began its current playoff format in 1984, the Warriors’ nine days off between series is tied for the longest break. Golden State has won its past 12 Game 1s of a series. The Warriors are 1-2 all-time in road Game 1s of an NBA Finals.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have home-court advantage in the series because they finished with one more win than the Warriors in the regular season and swept the series. It was 131-128 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 29. Leonard had 37 points and Pascal Siakam 26. Durant had 51, while Curry and Green were injured.
In Oakland on Dec. 13, the Raptors won 113-93 without Leonard. Kyle Lowry had 23 points and 12 assists. Durant had 30 points, and both Curry and Green played. The Raptors didn’t see Cousins at all. They were 10-0 against the Warriors’ Pacific Division this season, the only club in the league with an unbeaten record against any division. It hadn’t happened in the NBA since the Warriors did it vs. Southeast in 2015-16.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 26 May 6:58am | GS | -1 -110 | O +215.5 -105 |
| Closing 30 May 5:48pm | GS | -1.5 -115 | O +214 -110 |
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Draymond Green (PF)
DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture. |
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| Kevon Looney (C) | Ques Fri | Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 | 1-3 | 3-2 | + - |
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Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
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Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
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Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 | 2-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors. |
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| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 | 4-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
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Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets. |
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| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round. |
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| Draymond Green (PF) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 | 7-10 | 11-7-1 | + - |
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Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
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| DeMarcus Cousins (C) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 | 8-11 | 12-8-1 | + - |
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Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
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McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
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Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
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Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
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Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
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Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
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Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 May 6:58am GS -1 -110 O +215.5 -105 Closing 30 May 5:48pm GS -1.5 -115 O +214 -110 -
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19Draymond Green (PF)
Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 0-1 0-2 + - Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture.
Kevon Looney (C) Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 1-3 3-2 + - Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 2-4 5-3 + - Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors.
Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 4-4 6-4 + - Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round.
Draymond Green (PF) Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 7-10 11-7-1 + - Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
DeMarcus Cousins (C) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 8-11 12-8-1 + - Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.