The Portland Trail Blazers have had no answer for the question of how to solve the Golden State Warriors through the first three games of the Western Conference Finals. Down 3-0 in the series, is it already too late? The Trail Blazers will try to keep their championship hopes alive but news of a rib injury to star point guard Damian Lillard has soured the mood. The Trail Blazers are now a home dog in Game 4 and could be on the verge of defeat.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Warriors are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five Western Conference Finals games dating back to last season. Golden State has looked particularly good on Monday nights, producing a 16-7-1 ATS record in their last 24 games played on that night of the week. However, the Warriors are just 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS win heading in to Game 4.

Meanwhile, Portland is 4-0 against the spread in its last four games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. The Trail Blazers are also 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a double-digit loss at the Moda Center.

Golden State Warriors

With Kevin Durant sidelined for this series, Golden State hasn’t missed a beat with three straight wins. Of course, Steph Curry has lived up to his reputation as one of the league’s best players. Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 36 points, six rebounds and three assists in Game 3. Meanwhile, Draymond Green has saved perhaps his best work for this series. Green, who had 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals in Game 3 has stepped up big time with Durant sidelined. His energy keyed the team’s comeback in the third quarter.

Golden State clearly still has the advantage when it comes to star production. Whether Lillard is in fact hurt or not, he has just 15 field goals versus 14 turnovers in the entire series. That’s awful. If he’s not better in Game 4, it’s over.

Portland Trail Blazers

It was revealed shortly after Game 3 that Trail Blazers star Damian Lilard is dealing with separated ribs, but plans to play Game 4. Lillard, who had 19 points on just 5-of-18 from the field in Game 3, clearly doesn’t look like the star that led Portland to back-to-back playoff series wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets in the first two rounds.

With Lillard hurting, there is even more pressure on C.J. McCollum, Meyers Leonard and Seth Curry to step up and provide the Trail Blazers with something. Leonard stepped in to the starting lineup and scored 16 points with four assists and three rebounds in Game 3, but it still wasn’t enough with Lillard and McCollum struggling form the field. It’s hard to fathom that Portland got 16 points from a player like that – one who rarely contributes – and they were still blown out. They’ll need a monumental effort from everyone in Game 4 but it’s possible they’ve mentally checked out.