The Golden State Warriors will be in all-out desperation mode when they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their 2019 NBA Finals matchup on Monday night. Now, in a 3-1 hole and facing elimination, the two-time defending champs have had their hands completely full in trying ti contain Kawhi Leonard and a Raptors team that has clearly outplayed the defending champs through four games.
Now, with their playoff lives hanging in the balance, will Steph Curry and company show in to steal Game 5 in Toronto? Will Kevin Durant return to held save the Warriors or are Leonard and the surging Raptors the smart pick to close out the 2019 NBA Finals tonight?
Let’s get to my expert pick on Game 5 right now!
Warriors vs Raptors 2019 NBA Finals Game 5 Odds, Predictions & Pick
- When: Monday, June 10, 2019 at 9:00 PM ET
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
- TV: ABC / RNET
- Radio: Golden State / Toronto
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- 2019 NBA Finals Game 5 Odds: Toronto -1.5 / Total: 214.5
Why Bet On Golden State at +1.5?
The best reason to back Golden State in game 5 is that they’re going to be completely and utterly desperate, plus the Dubs have already proven they can win in Toronto as evidenced by their stunning 109-104 road win in Game 2. Not only that, but the Warriors could get back Kevin Durant for Game 5, though that will likely be a game-time decision after the two-time Finals MVP practiced with the team on Sunday.
“That’s what we did a few years ago against OKC (when down 3-1 in the Western Conference finals). Win one game, and then you move forward. So, that’s our focus now. … We have won a lot of games over the years, so we’ll try to win another one.”
The Warriors have not scored more than 109 points in any of the four game against Toronto while allowing at least 118 points twice. The Dubs are averaging just 104.7 points per game while allowing the Raptors to put up a stellar 112.5 points per contest.
“They have been aggressive all series and trying to take space away from me and Klay (Thompson),” Curry told reporters. “I missed some shots early that I usually make (in Game 4), especially from the 3-point line, but overall I feel like I got good looks, and obviously I’m sure they were a little bit more focused on us two, considering how Game 3 went and having a great game plan.”
Team Statistics
Offense:
- Average Score For: 117.11
- Field Goals: 48.82%
- Three Points: 38.16%
- Free Throws: 80.58%
- Rebounds: 45.70
Defense:
- Average Score Against: 111.16
- Field Goals: 44.38%
- Three Points: 35.06%
- Free Throws: 78.08%
- Rebounds: 43.65
Why Bet on Toronto at -1.5?
Why Should you bet on Toronto? ‘The question should probably be more like, why wouldn’t you?’ First, there is clearly no one on Golden State’s roster that is capable of stopping Kawhi Leonard. Toronto’s quiet superstar is averaging a stellar 30.7 points per game including his 36-point 12-rebound effort in Saturday’s 105-92 road win over the Warriors. Not only that, but the Raptors have shown absolutely no fear and anxiety against the two-time defending champs.
“We were confident,” Leonard told reporters. “We’re on the road, down four, we wanted to come in and have a good third quarter coming out the first five minutes, stay aggressive on both end of the floor, keep our energy up. And that’s all we did.”
The Raptors have surprisingly dominated the Warriors by keeping their high-powered offense in check. Toronto is averaging 112.5 points per game in the finals while limiting the Warriors to just 104.7 points per game. Still, the raptors say they know the job isn’t quite finished just yet.
“We didn’t do nothing yet,” veteran point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. “We haven’t done anything. We won three games. It’s the first (to) four. We understand that. They’re the defending champs, and they’re not going to go out easy. They’re going to come and fight and prepare to play the next game, and that’s how we’re preparing ourselves, that we have to…we got to prepare ourselves to play the next game. We haven’t done anything yet.”
Team Statistics
Offense:
- Average Score For: 112.72
- Field Goals: 46.74%
- Three Points: 36.24%
- Free Throws: 81.05%
- Rebounds: 44.58
Defense:
- Average Score Against: 106.69
- Field Goals: 44.31%
- Three Points: 33.90%
- Free Throws: 76.87%
- Rebounds: 45.07
Warriors vs Raptors NBA Finals Game Betting Trends
- Warriors are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games against Toronto
- Warriors are 7-3 SU in the last 10 games
- The total went OVER in 5 of Golden State’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
- Raptors are 7-1 ATS in the last 8 games
- Raptors are 7-1 SU in the last 8 games
- The total went OVER in 12 of the Raptors’ last 18 games against Golden State
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Warriors vs Raptors
After seeing how Toronto has man-handled Golden State at the defensive end of the floor while simultaneously making the most out of each and every offensive possession they’ve had, I’m a bit surprised that the spread for this matchup is just 1.5 or 2 points. As a matter of fact. I’m even more surprised that 51 percent of public bettors are backing the Warriors to cover the chalk.
I know the Dubs have gone an encouraging 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest, but the Warriors are also just 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
On the flip side of the coin, Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors have gone a near-perfect 7-1 ATS in their last eight games, 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against teams from the Pacific Division and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. I know the Warriors have a ton of talent and the big edge in experience and that you should probably never count them out, but guess what MYBookie NBA basketball betting faithful?
That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Count the Dubs out. I just don’t see Toronto collapsing or choking as they follow the lead of their super-focused and never nervous superstar team leader. I picked the Warriors to win the 2019 NBA Finals, but that was then and this is now. Toronto wins to fish off the Warriors – whether KD plays or not!
2019 NBA Finals Game 5 Pick: Toronto 114 Golden State 109
