Best bets, player props to consider for Raptors-Warriors Game 5
With a chance to close out the NBA Finals on Monday, the Raptors host the Warriors for a pivotal Game 5. For potentially the final time this season, we dive into the best bets and player props to consider.
Line: Raptors -1.5
Total: 214.5
"Teams don't go into Oracle Arena and take two from the Warriors," the masses said.
Well, the masses were wrong. Toronto followed up a brilliant 14-point win in Game 3 with a second straight double-digit victory on Friday, capitalizing on Kevin Durant's continued absence. The Raptors originally opened Monday’s potentially series-clinching tilt as 2.5-point favorites, but Durant's "questionable" listing over the weekend shifted the point spread back a bit to 1.5.
Game 4 was the first of the series to go under the total, thanks to a sloppy first quarter and poor shooting overall. The two offenses combined to shoot 18-of-59 from beyond the arc and Golden State turned the ball over a whopping 17 times. Nonetheless, both teams had their fair share of open looks in the latest installment of a fairly free-flowing series.
That figures to be the theme again for Game 5, especially if Durant is back. Golden State has been brutal defensively so far this series and the only way the Warriors force a Game 6 is by regaining their shooting form.
The first three games of the series all went over the total with Durant out of the mix. If he's back, it'll be an extra bonus in what should be another high-scoring affair.
Steph Curry Over/Under 4.5 three-pointers made
Klay Thompson was our pick to go off in Game 4, and all he did was drill six of his 10 attempts from deep en route to a team-high 28 points. On Monday, we'd recommend putting all the chips in Curry's basket. His usage has been through the roof of late as he's attempted at least 14 three-pointers in six of his last 11 contests. In a do-or-die road game, expect the same trend.
Kawhi Leonard Over/Under 31.5 points
Leonard's value to the Raptors has been on full display throughout the postseason as he's averaged 31.1 points per game. But a lot of his recent damage has come on the road, where he's poured in at least 30 points in each of his last five outings. On the other hand, he's scored 27 points or fewer in three of his previous four playoff games at home.
Kyle Lowry Over/Under 6.5 assists
Lowry's had his moments during the series, including a 23-point performance in Game 3 to lift Toronto to a win. Though he's been up and down in the point column, he's been fairly consistent dishing the ball out, recording at least seven assists in three of four games in this series and four of the last five overall.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.