The Golden State Warriors probably were thrilled that they would be facing the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals instead of the Denver Nuggets. After all, the Warriors have won 26 of the last 34 meetings, both in the regular season and playoffs against the Trail Blazers. They are solid favorites on the NBA Playoffs odds for Tuesday’s Game 1 in Oakland.
How to Bet Blazers vs Warriors Western Conference Odds & Game 1 Info
“In these type of situations I knew that in pressure time I’d be fine…that’s how I’ve always been” – @thekidet pic.twitter.com/GUggBhmQJ8
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) 13 de mayo de 2019
- When: Tuesday, 9 PM ET
- Where: Oracle Arena
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- Radio: The Game 95.7
- Western Conference Finals Odds: Golden State Warriors -7.5 (Total 219.5)
Season Series
The Trail Blazers and Warriors split the regular season series in 2018-19, 2-2. Portland and Golden State have faced each other twice previously in the postseason, with the Warriors winning both series. Entering the series, Golden State leads Portland, 8-1, all-time in the playoffs. Both series between the Trail Blazers and the Warriors have occurred in the last three postseasons.
Golden State beat Portland in the 2016 Western Conference Semifinals, 4-1, and in the 2017 First Round, 4-0. In nine career playoff games against the Warriors, Damian Lillard has averaged 30.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. CJ McCollum has scored at least 20 points in six of his nine playoff games against the Warriors.
Why Bet on Portland?
The Blazers advanced with a 100-96 upset win in Denver in Game 7 on Sunday. Damian Lillard struggled to get his shot to drop, going 3-of-17 from the field on his way to 13 points over 45 minutes. The Nuggets did an excellent job defensively against Lillard, not allowing him any clean looks throughout the game, and he started out by missing his first six shot attempts. While Lillard had a tough time scoring, he added 10 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and just one turnover.
C.J. McCollum was awesome Sunday with 37 points, nine rebounds and one block over 45 minutes. McCollum single-handedly kept Portland in the game early with essentially all of his teammates struggling. He also had a key chase-down block on Jamal Murray in the fourth quarter to ensure the Blazers held onto their lead. McCollum had struggled in his previous three games in Denver, but he couldn’t be stopped on Sunday, going 17-of-29 from the field as he guided Portland to the West Finals for the first time since 2000.
Rodney Hood exited Sunday’s game during the third quarter with a hyperextended left knee and did not return, finishing with six points and three rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. An MRI revealed a left knee bone bruise for Hood and he is officially being listed as questionable for Tuesday’s Game 1. He’s not likely to play, which is a big blow to Portland’s second unit. Should mean more minutes for Seth Curry, Evan Turner, and Moe Harkless.
During the regular season, Lillard averaged 28.3 points (47.6% FG, 50.0% 3-PT, 85.0% FT), 2.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.00 steals vs. the Warriors. Lillard scored 40 points against Golden State on Dec. 29 and scored 21 points in Oakland on Dec. 27, including a game-winning three-pointer with 6.3 seconds remaining in overtime.
McCollum averaged 18.0 points (36.6% FG, 30.0% 3-PT, 84.6% FT), 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists against the Dubs. McCollum has made at least three three-pointers in seven of his last nine games against Golden State. Al-Farouq Aminu averaged 10.0 points (37.1% FG, 35.3% 3-PT, 100% FT), 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists vs. the Warriors.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 114.20
- Field Goal Percentage: 46.37
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.86
- Free Throw Percentage: 80.67
- Total Rebounds: 47.83
Defense
- Total Score: 110.38
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.34
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.56
- Free Throw Percentage: 77.29
- Total Rebounds: 43.48
Why Bet on Golden State?
This is Golden State’s fifth-consecutive Western Conference Finals berth, joining the Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams to make at least five straight appearances in the Western Conference Finals and becoming only the fifth franchise to advance to the conference finals in either conference (Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons) since the NBA began using the conference format in 1970-71.
The Warriors finished off the Rockets in Game 6 on Friday night in Houston, 118-113, despite playing without injured superstar Kevin Durant. He injured his calf in the third quarter of Game 5 and didn’t return. Durant will sit at least Game 1 of this series and be re-evaluated on Thursday. That means he’s likely going to miss Game 2 as well.
In the regular season, Durant averaged 28.8 points (57.5% FG, 41.2% 3-PT, 76.2% FT), 6.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.00 blocks and 1.00 steal vs. Portland. Durant has scored at least 30 points in seven of his last 10 games against the Blazers.
Stephen Curry shook off a slow start in Game 6 vs. the Rockets and finished with 33 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four triples. Curry was scoreless in the first half with three fouls in 12 minutes. He flipped a switch in the clutch with 23 points in the fourth quarter and 16 points in the final four minutes.
Curry said his dislocated left middle finger is still causing him a lot of pain. It’s been nearly two weeks since he suffered the injury and Curry expects the pain to linger until he gets an extended rest. Handling the ball with his left hand seems to be the hardest thing.
In the regular season, Curry averaged 28.7 points (41.5% FG, 35.1% 3-PT, 79.2% FT), 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.33 steals in three games against Portland. Curry has made at least five three-pointers in eight of his last 10 games against Portland. Klay Thompson averaged 21.8 points (41.6% FG, 40.0% 3-PT, 78.6% FT), 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.50 steals vs. the Blazers during the year. Thompson scored 30-plus points in both of Golden State’s victories over Portland this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 117.73
- Field Goal Percentage: 49.02
- Three-Point Percentage: 38.35
- Free Throw Percentage: 80.37
- Total Rebounds: 45.76
Defense
- Total Score: 111.35
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.44
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.96
- Free Throw Percentage: 77.57
- Total Rebounds: 43.89
Blazers vs Warriors Western Conference Finals Betting Trends
- Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record
- Blazers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game
- Over is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings
- Blazers are 4-13 SU in their last 17 games against Golden State
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland’s last 5 games this season
- Warriors are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State’s last 5 games
Expert Final Score Prediction for Blazers vs Warriors
Portland Trail Blazers 113 – Golden State Warriors 118
