Golden State is aiming for the sweep when it takes on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors can claim a second consecutive title and their third in the past four years with a victory.
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The Cavaliers are at home but they will be the underdogs. It is fair to wonder how much energy Cleveland has left knowing it will be virtually impossible to turn around and capture the series. The Warriors are primed for the sweep and the Cavs may only be left playing for pride in this one.
The Cavs have lost two close games in the first three and that was something they couldn’t afford to do against a superior opponent.
Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals is on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 9 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The contest will be nationally televised on ABC.
Vegas Odds
The Warriors have been listed as 4.5-point favorites to capture Game 4. It is still early but thus far more of the action has come in on Golden State to cover after it did so in each of the past two games in the NBA Finals.
The scoring total is listed at 215 points. The “over” has been the more common scenario in this series as both teams have the capability to score points in bunches, although the “under” hit in Game 3.
The Warriors are listed as the -190 favorite on the moneyline while Cleveland is listed as the +163 underdog underdog. The Cavaliers got the vast majority of action to pull the upset as home underdogs in Game 3 but the betting could be more even in this one with the Warriors on the precipice of a title.
Game 3 Wrap Up
After a thrilling first game in this NBA Finals series, Game 2 was a lot less exciting for basketball fans on both sides. Game 3 proved to be another competitive one in Cleveland, but in the end, it was the same result as the Warriors won their third straight, defeating the Cavs 110-102 to come within a game of the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant was unstoppable on Wednesday, finishing with 43 points and nailing a deep three-pointer down the stretch that helped put the game away. He also added 13 rebounds and seven assists. Durant’s big game helped keep the Warriors stay in this one, since Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were ice cold, combining for just 21 points.
The Cavs actually led for a lot of Game 3, but Golden State never let them get too far ahead. It was a one-point game with two minutes left, but a quick six points by Durant helped create just enough separation for the reigning champs to close out the win.
LeBron Gone?
Could this be James’ last game as a member of the Cavaliers? The best player in the NBA left Cleveland once before for the Miami Heat and it’s possible he departs again as a free agent this offseason. There is a belief both the 76ers and the Lakers could be attractive destinations. James is from Cleveland and has a lot of ties to the area, so it’s not a given he goes, but it is fair to wonder if he is ready for a new start.
Keep an eye on James closely after the game if the Cavaliers do lose. It will be interesting to see if his body language gives anything away about his future plans.
Who You Should Bet
The Cavaliers aren’t going to have enough left in the tank to pull off the upset next time out. The Warriors can smell blood and should be able to come away with the win. The spread is pretty high considering Golden State is on the road, and it may continue to creep up. Even so, the Warriors are the pick to cover the spread as they clinch another NBA championship.
Score Prediction: Warriors 104, Cavaliers 96
Our ATS Pick: Warriors
Check out the very latest NBA Finals betting odds.
