With the advent of salary caps and big-money free agency deals, we are at a point in modern sports where dynasties are quickly becoming a thing of the past. It’s seldom that we get to see teams win championships in back to back seasons, never mind several titles in the space of a few sort years. The exception to that rule can be found in the NBA, where the Golden State Warriors have ruled the roost over the past few years. They have won 3 of the last 4 NBA Finals and made it to their 5th straight this season in their usual convincing fashion. That didn’t really come as a surprise to anyone, but the arrival of the Toronto Raptors into the Finals certainly was a bit of a surprise.
All season long, it looked as though the Warriors and the Bucks were on a collision course, but Toronto ruined the Milwaukee party in the Eastern Conference Final. They are now looking to crash another event and head into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead over the defending champions. The Warriors are favored at home by 4 ½, with the point total set at 215 ½.
Raptors vs Warriors 2019 NBA Finals Game 4 Odds & Preview
- When: Friday, June 7 at 9 PM EST
- Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland
- TV: ABC
- Radio: Toronto / Golden State
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- 2019 NBA Finals Game 4 Odds: Warriors -4.5 (-110)
Why bet on the Toronto Raptors?
There are still some folks out there who consider the Toronto Raptors to be a bit of a surprise package, but we have surely seen enough of this team now to know that they are for real. If their regular season performance and their wins in the early stages of the playoffs were not enough to convince you of their validity, then surely taking out the Milwaukee Bucks, the team with the best record in the NBA this season, should have done it.
While some suggest that all the pressure in Game 4 is on the Warriors, Toronto will be well aware that a win here will put them on the brink of their first ever championship. That’s a heavy load to carry. The Raptors are 2-1 SU and ATS in this series and have covered the spread in 6 of their last 7 playoff games overall.
Team Statistics
Offense:
- Average Score For: 112.80
- Field Goals: 46.79
- Three Points: 36.29
- Free Throws: 80.89
- Rebounds: 44.64
Defense:
- Average Score Against: 106.83
- Field Goals: 44.31
- Three Points: 33.93
- Free Throws: 76.96
- Rebounds: 45.10
Why bet on the Golden State Warriors?
If the Warriors are unable to dig out of their current hole and win this series, they might well look at Game 3 as being the pivotal loss. They will also look at the absence of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson from that game due to injuries as a mitigating factor. The belief is that Thompson will return for this one, as he probably could have gone in Game 3, but also that Durant will once again be sidelined.
We don’t very often see Golden State lose 2 in a row at home, and we certainly don’t see it in the playoffs. That enough should be reason to suggest that they are going to come out and get the job done on Friday night.
Team Statistics
Offense:
- Average Score For: 117.36
- Field Goals: 48.85
- Three Points: 38.22
- Free Throws: 80.72
- Rebounds: 45.73
Defense:
- Average Score Against: 111.22
- Field Goals: 44.41
- Three Points: 35.10
- Free Throws: 77.91
- Rebounds: 43.70
Raptors vs Warriors NBA Finals Betting Trends
- Raptors are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games
- Raptors are 6-1 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went UNDER in 7 of the Raptors’ last 10 games on the road
- Warriors are 7-2 SU in the last 9 games
- The total went OVER in 12 of the Warriors’ last 18 games
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction for Raptors vs Warriors
The Warriors will be looking to set the tone in this game by getting out to a fast start, but don’t expect Toronto to sit back and let that happen. I think the Raptors keep this close throughout, and while I think they lose, I do like them to cover.
Toronto Raptors 107 Golden State Warriors 110
