Cnotes53 2017 NBA Best Bets-Trends-News Thru Playoffs !
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Klay Thompson score 35, Warriors force Game 7 in West finals
May 26, 2018
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Klay Thompson hit nine 3-pointers and scored 35 points, the Warriors held James Harden down in the second half, and Golden State rallied from an early 17-point deficit to stave off elimination with a 115-86 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night to force a deciding Game 7 in the Western Conference finals.
Stephen Curry added 29 points and five 3s on a night Harden dazzled for long stretches with 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while backcourt mate Chris Paul sat out sidelined by a strained right hamstring.
Kevin Durant struggled with his stroke at 6 for 17 but still scored 23 points as the defending champions kept their repeat quest alive by thoroughly outplaying Houston in the second half. The Warriors outscored the Rockets 55-20 in the second half before both coaches subbed their key players with 4:28 left.
A dynamic, star-studded series projected to be as captivating and compelling as the actual NBA Finals is going the distance. Game 7 is Monday night back in Houston.
Golden State stymied Harden on consecutive possessions early in the fourth with smothering defense led by Nick Young and several helpers, then Thompson hit a 3-pointer from the left wing at 9:40 for an 89-77 lead. And roaring Oracle Arena went crazy with hopes of even more home games to come if Golden State can get to a fourth straight finals.
Thompson came through with his best performance of these playoffs with the season on the line, just as he did in a 2016 Game 6 of the Western Conference finals at Oklahoma City when he went off for 41 points against Durant and the Thunder to force Game 7.
He was a combined 20 of 32 from 3-point range in those two games.
''I don't want to go home,'' Thompson said. ''We worked too hard this season to go home. And this is what we play for.''
The Warriors used another of their signature third quarters to take an 84-77 advantage going into the final 12 minutes, then maintained that dominant level this time down the stretch, unlike their last home game at roaring Oracle Arena when they blew it in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Both teams let it fly from every corner of the court - Golden State hitting 16 3-pointers and Houston 15.
The Warriors outscored Houston 93-47 over the final three quarters.
Thompson's baseline 3 in transition with 3:35 left in the third put the Warriors up 76-74, then Curry hit from way back the next time down over Gerald Green. Curry did it again moments later from deep.
The Warriors opened the third with an 11-0 burst to go ahead 62-61 on Curry's 3 at 9:17, also getting a pair of 3s from Thompson and a dunk by Durant. Houston committed four quick turnovers.
Yellow-clad Oracle came alive, too.
Golden State did it playing again without forward Andre Iguodala, who missed his third straight game of the series with a bone bruise in his left knee sustained in Game 3.
TIP-INS
Rockets: The Rockets made 8 of 12 3-pointers in the first and topped the Warriors 19-4 in fast-break points. ... Houston committed 11 first-half turnovers, five early. ... Harden shot 4 for 12 on 3s.
Warriors: Golden State's 33-point third quarter was its first 30-point period since the third in Game 4. ... The Warriors shot 4 for 18 in the first half from long range. ... Golden State is 4-1 when facing elimination dating to the 2015 championship. ... The Warriors are 16-8 all-time in Game 6 of postseason series. ... Second-year G Patrick McCaw, who had been out since a scary back injury at Sacramento on March 31 when undercut by Vince Carter, received a roaring ovation when he entered the game late. He quickly grabbed a rebound. ... Kerr listed Iguodala as day to day because there's still pain in the knee when running.
PAUL'S PRESENCE
Paul is receiving treatment ''around the clock,'' according to coach Mike D'Antoni.
Having him on hand still meant so much.
''He's devastated. He has to be. We're all devastated for him. At the same time, we'll rally and do what's right,'' D'Antoni said. ''He's so integral in what we do and the spirit of the team. And him being here is a big deal, and him being on the bench is a big deal. He'll will us through, if he can.''
Warriors coach Steve Kerr felt terribly for Paul - and others who have gone down.
''More than anything, I feel bad for Chris. The guy is a phenomenal player and competitor, and pretty much willed his team the last two games. He's just been haunted by these types of injuries in his career, and it's a shame,'' Kerr said.
''I hate when anybody gets hurt. I hate when Andre got hurt. I hate to see Kevin Love last night, Kyrie (Irving). These guys train so hard and they're here and they're competing, and you want everybody to be healthy, but just the reality is it usually doesn't work out that way. So you've just got to keep playing with whoever's there and keep going.''
May 26, 2018
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Klay Thompson hit nine 3-pointers and scored 35 points, the Warriors held James Harden down in the second half, and Golden State rallied from an early 17-point deficit to stave off elimination with a 115-86 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night to force a deciding Game 7 in the Western Conference finals.
Stephen Curry added 29 points and five 3s on a night Harden dazzled for long stretches with 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while backcourt mate Chris Paul sat out sidelined by a strained right hamstring.
Kevin Durant struggled with his stroke at 6 for 17 but still scored 23 points as the defending champions kept their repeat quest alive by thoroughly outplaying Houston in the second half. The Warriors outscored the Rockets 55-20 in the second half before both coaches subbed their key players with 4:28 left.
A dynamic, star-studded series projected to be as captivating and compelling as the actual NBA Finals is going the distance. Game 7 is Monday night back in Houston.
Golden State stymied Harden on consecutive possessions early in the fourth with smothering defense led by Nick Young and several helpers, then Thompson hit a 3-pointer from the left wing at 9:40 for an 89-77 lead. And roaring Oracle Arena went crazy with hopes of even more home games to come if Golden State can get to a fourth straight finals.
Thompson came through with his best performance of these playoffs with the season on the line, just as he did in a 2016 Game 6 of the Western Conference finals at Oklahoma City when he went off for 41 points against Durant and the Thunder to force Game 7.
He was a combined 20 of 32 from 3-point range in those two games.
''I don't want to go home,'' Thompson said. ''We worked too hard this season to go home. And this is what we play for.''
The Warriors used another of their signature third quarters to take an 84-77 advantage going into the final 12 minutes, then maintained that dominant level this time down the stretch, unlike their last home game at roaring Oracle Arena when they blew it in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Both teams let it fly from every corner of the court - Golden State hitting 16 3-pointers and Houston 15.
The Warriors outscored Houston 93-47 over the final three quarters.
Thompson's baseline 3 in transition with 3:35 left in the third put the Warriors up 76-74, then Curry hit from way back the next time down over Gerald Green. Curry did it again moments later from deep.
The Warriors opened the third with an 11-0 burst to go ahead 62-61 on Curry's 3 at 9:17, also getting a pair of 3s from Thompson and a dunk by Durant. Houston committed four quick turnovers.
Yellow-clad Oracle came alive, too.
Golden State did it playing again without forward Andre Iguodala, who missed his third straight game of the series with a bone bruise in his left knee sustained in Game 3.
TIP-INS
Rockets: The Rockets made 8 of 12 3-pointers in the first and topped the Warriors 19-4 in fast-break points. ... Houston committed 11 first-half turnovers, five early. ... Harden shot 4 for 12 on 3s.
Warriors: Golden State's 33-point third quarter was its first 30-point period since the third in Game 4. ... The Warriors shot 4 for 18 in the first half from long range. ... Golden State is 4-1 when facing elimination dating to the 2015 championship. ... The Warriors are 16-8 all-time in Game 6 of postseason series. ... Second-year G Patrick McCaw, who had been out since a scary back injury at Sacramento on March 31 when undercut by Vince Carter, received a roaring ovation when he entered the game late. He quickly grabbed a rebound. ... Kerr listed Iguodala as day to day because there's still pain in the knee when running.
PAUL'S PRESENCE
Paul is receiving treatment ''around the clock,'' according to coach Mike D'Antoni.
Having him on hand still meant so much.
''He's devastated. He has to be. We're all devastated for him. At the same time, we'll rally and do what's right,'' D'Antoni said. ''He's so integral in what we do and the spirit of the team. And him being here is a big deal, and him being on the bench is a big deal. He'll will us through, if he can.''
Warriors coach Steve Kerr felt terribly for Paul - and others who have gone down.
''More than anything, I feel bad for Chris. The guy is a phenomenal player and competitor, and pretty much willed his team the last two games. He's just been haunted by these types of injuries in his career, and it's a shame,'' Kerr said.
''I hate when anybody gets hurt. I hate when Andre got hurt. I hate to see Kevin Love last night, Kyrie (Irving). These guys train so hard and they're here and they're competing, and you want everybody to be healthy, but just the reality is it usually doesn't work out that way. So you've just got to keep playing with whoever's there and keep going.''
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY MAY 27, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:30 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics TD Garden
SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY MAY 28, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center
********************
MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )
05/26/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/25/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
Totals.............12-22-0........35.28%.....-60.00
BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL
05/26/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/25/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1...............-5.50.............-11.00
05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50
Totals.......................5 - 12................-41.00..................7 - 10...............-20.00............-61.00
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:30 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics TD Garden
SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY MAY 28, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center
********************
MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )
05/26/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/25/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
Totals.............12-22-0........35.28%.....-60.00
BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL
05/26/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/25/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1...............-5.50.............-11.00
05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50
Totals.......................5 - 12................-41.00..................7 - 10...............-20.00............-61.00
Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack
Odds to win one of the last three golf majors this year:
30-1? Bryson DeChambeau
40-1? Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson
50-1? JB Holmes
60-1? Billy Horschel
80-1? Beau Hossler
150-1? Russell Knox
**********
Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday
13) Warriors 115, Rockets 86? Golden State outscored Houston 93-47 over the final three quarters, 64-25 in second half. Game 7 is Monday in Houston; the health of Chris Paul?s legs will obviously determine whether the Rockets have a chance or not.
12) This is first time since 1979 that both conference finals will go to a seventh game.
11) Houston?s PJ Tucker played 87 college games for Texas; he was 2-4 behind the arc in those 87 games, but he?s worked like hell on improving his game.
In the NBA, Tucker is 436 for 1,225 behind the arc (35.6%); he shot 37.1% on 3?s this season. He?s worked his butt off and now he makes $8M a year playing ball. Good for him.
10) Madison Bumgarner struck out eight of 12 hitters he faced in his first rehab game; he only threw 47 pitches, so he may have one more rehab game before the Giants activate him.
9) Mike Trout?s on-base %age the last three years: .441, .442, .461
8) Russell Martin played shortstop for Toronto Saturday, his first appearance at short in 1,555 major league games. He?s played third base in 33 games.
7) There are only three major leaguers this year who have 10+ homers and 10+ stolen bases: Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and White Sox SS Tim Anderson.
6) When Mets? SS Amed Rosario walked in the 5th inning Saturday, it was his first walk in his last 92 plate appearances.
5) 45-year old Bartolo Colon throws fastballs 83% of the time, the highest %age of any starting pitcher in the big leagues.
4) Reds 6, Rockies 5? Colorado had bases loaded, none out in 9th inning, didn?t score- they hit into a line drive DP to end game, the 5th double play they hit into in the game.
3) Reds? 2B Scooter Gennett had the second 5-hit game of his career Saturday; the first one included four homers and 10 RBI.
2) Greedy bastard update: Mobil station on corner of Wolf/Sand Creek in my town raised the price of gas 20 cents a gallon this week, because it is Memorial Day weekend. It is $3.05 there, it is $2.89 at the Mobil station a half-mile away at the corner of Central/Fuller.
1) San Diego 3B Christian Villanueva hit two homers last night, is 2nd in the NL in homers, behind only Bryce Harper.
Odds to win one of the last three golf majors this year:
30-1? Bryson DeChambeau
40-1? Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson
50-1? JB Holmes
60-1? Billy Horschel
80-1? Beau Hossler
150-1? Russell Knox
**********
Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday
13) Warriors 115, Rockets 86? Golden State outscored Houston 93-47 over the final three quarters, 64-25 in second half. Game 7 is Monday in Houston; the health of Chris Paul?s legs will obviously determine whether the Rockets have a chance or not.
12) This is first time since 1979 that both conference finals will go to a seventh game.
11) Houston?s PJ Tucker played 87 college games for Texas; he was 2-4 behind the arc in those 87 games, but he?s worked like hell on improving his game.
In the NBA, Tucker is 436 for 1,225 behind the arc (35.6%); he shot 37.1% on 3?s this season. He?s worked his butt off and now he makes $8M a year playing ball. Good for him.
10) Madison Bumgarner struck out eight of 12 hitters he faced in his first rehab game; he only threw 47 pitches, so he may have one more rehab game before the Giants activate him.
9) Mike Trout?s on-base %age the last three years: .441, .442, .461
8) Russell Martin played shortstop for Toronto Saturday, his first appearance at short in 1,555 major league games. He?s played third base in 33 games.
7) There are only three major leaguers this year who have 10+ homers and 10+ stolen bases: Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and White Sox SS Tim Anderson.
6) When Mets? SS Amed Rosario walked in the 5th inning Saturday, it was his first walk in his last 92 plate appearances.
5) 45-year old Bartolo Colon throws fastballs 83% of the time, the highest %age of any starting pitcher in the big leagues.
4) Reds 6, Rockies 5? Colorado had bases loaded, none out in 9th inning, didn?t score- they hit into a line drive DP to end game, the 5th double play they hit into in the game.
3) Reds? 2B Scooter Gennett had the second 5-hit game of his career Saturday; the first one included four homers and 10 RBI.
2) Greedy bastard update: Mobil station on corner of Wolf/Sand Creek in my town raised the price of gas 20 cents a gallon this week, because it is Memorial Day weekend. It is $3.05 there, it is $2.89 at the Mobil station a half-mile away at the corner of Central/Fuller.
1) San Diego 3B Christian Villanueva hit two homers last night, is 2nd in the NL in homers, behind only Bryce Harper.
NBA
Dunkel
Sunday, May 27
Cleveland @ Boston
Game 711-712
May 27, 2018 @ 8:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
117.926
Boston
125.853
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 8
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-2 1/2); Under
NBA
Long Sheet
Sunday, May 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND (61 - 38) at BOSTON (66 - 34) - 5/27/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 39-58 ATS (-24.8 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 60-36 ATS (+20.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
BOSTON is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) in home games this season.
BOSTON is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games in all playoff games this season.
BOSTON is 24-6 ATS (+17.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-10 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 14-7 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 21 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up
Sunday, May 27
Cleveland @ Boston (3-3)
Home side won/covered all six series games; four of the six games stayed under the total- in last 15 games between these teams, under is 10-5. In Game 5, Hill-Smith-Thompson shot 2-14 from floor- they were 10-21 in Game 6. James/Love need that help in a road game. Rozier/Brown shot a combined 21-34 in Game 6 but Celtics were outscored 34-18 in 2nd quarter. In the three games in Cleveland, Cavaliers led by 20-15-11 points at halftime. All six series games were decided by 9+ points. Boston won/covered all ten of its home games in playoffs.
Conference finals
Cavaliers-Celtics
Bos 108-83, +1, U204.5
Bos 107-94, +1, U205.5
Clev 116-86, -6.5, U207
Clev 111-102, -7, O205
Bos 96-83, -1.5, U205
Clev 109-99, -7, O201.5
Warriors-Rockets
GState 119-106, -1.5, U225.5
Hst 127-105, -1.5, O225
GState 126-85, -7, U228
Hst 95-92, +8, U227
Hst 98-94, +1, U220
GState 115-86, -12.5, U214.5
NBA
Sunday, May 27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games
Boston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 14 games at home
Boston is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Dunkel
Sunday, May 27
Cleveland @ Boston
Game 711-712
May 27, 2018 @ 8:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
117.926
Boston
125.853
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 8
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-2 1/2); Under
NBA
Long Sheet
Sunday, May 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND (61 - 38) at BOSTON (66 - 34) - 5/27/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 39-58 ATS (-24.8 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 60-36 ATS (+20.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
BOSTON is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) in home games this season.
BOSTON is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games in all playoff games this season.
BOSTON is 24-6 ATS (+17.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-10 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 14-7 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 21 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up
Sunday, May 27
Cleveland @ Boston (3-3)
Home side won/covered all six series games; four of the six games stayed under the total- in last 15 games between these teams, under is 10-5. In Game 5, Hill-Smith-Thompson shot 2-14 from floor- they were 10-21 in Game 6. James/Love need that help in a road game. Rozier/Brown shot a combined 21-34 in Game 6 but Celtics were outscored 34-18 in 2nd quarter. In the three games in Cleveland, Cavaliers led by 20-15-11 points at halftime. All six series games were decided by 9+ points. Boston won/covered all ten of its home games in playoffs.
Conference finals
Cavaliers-Celtics
Bos 108-83, +1, U204.5
Bos 107-94, +1, U205.5
Clev 116-86, -6.5, U207
Clev 111-102, -7, O205
Bos 96-83, -1.5, U205
Clev 109-99, -7, O201.5
Warriors-Rockets
GState 119-106, -1.5, U225.5
Hst 127-105, -1.5, O225
GState 126-85, -7, U228
Hst 95-92, +8, U227
Hst 98-94, +1, U220
GState 115-86, -12.5, U214.5
NBA
Sunday, May 27
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Trend Report
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games
Boston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 14 games at home
Boston is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
NBA Eastern Confernce Finals Game 7 betting preview: Cavaliers at Celtics
The Celtics are a perfect 10-0 SU and ATS this postseason, but trying to take out LeBron is a totally different beast.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (-2.5, 199.5)
Series tied 3-3
The Boston Celtics have yet to lose at home in the playoffs, but a Game 7 against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is different from every other test the young team has faced in the postseason. The Celtics will try to hold homecourt advantage and turn away James and company when they host the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
James stepped up with his team facing elimination in Game 6 on Friday, collecting 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 46 minutes to push Cleveland to a 109-99 win and put himself one win away from an eighth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. "I have a drive. I have a love of the game. I have a passion for the game," James told reporters. "While I have the opportunity to lace my shoes up and put a uniform on, then I try to go out and do my job to the best of my ability. ... I haven't always played great in my career. But I just always want to try to maximize when I'm on the floor, and I've been able to." Boston is trying to maximize its own potential and is prepared for a fight in Game 7. "It's about just winning the game now," Celtics guard Marcus Smart told reporters. "It's not going to be pretty. You got to be able to get down and get dirty. You can't go out and try to look pretty. You have to be ready for a dogfight. We got to be ready to come up with our nose bloodied, we got to be ready to come out with our mouth bloodied, we have to come out ready to fight."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened Game 7 as 2.5-point home favorites and were briefly bet down to -2, but as of Saturday night they had returned to the opening number. The total hit the board at 201.5 and has been gradually bet down to the current number of 199.5.
CONSENSUS: Despite LeBron's elimination game dominance, bettors are still riding with the Celtics at home, with 54 percent of public wagers backing Boston. When it comes to the total, 60 percent of bettors are on the Over. So with the number coming down that could indicate sharp money on the Under.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The home/road dichotomy has been extreme for the Celtics this postseason. Boston is 10-0 SU at home, but just 1-7 SU on the road. In order to advance to the NBA Finals, they must beat a Cavaliers team that is now 6-2 SU in elimination games the past three years after their 10-point Game 6 win on Friday night. LeBron James dominated with 46 points on Friday and his teams are now 5-2 SU all-time in Game 7s." - Steve Merril.
INJURY REPORT:
Cavaliers - C Kevin Love (Out, head).
Celtics - PG Kyrie Irving (Out, knee), SF Gordon Hayward (Out, ankle), PG Shane Larkin (Out, shoulder), Daniel Theis (Out, knee).
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (61-38, 39-59-1 ATS, 46-51-2 O/U): Cleveland will spend the off day and the hours leading up to Game 7 monitoring the health of James, who was forced to play through a knee injury in the fourth quarter on Friday, and the team is expected to be without power forward Kevin Love in Game 7 after he was placed in the concussion protocol. The Cavaliers used a combination of players in the second half on Friday to fill the gap caused by the exit of Love, who has a history of concussions and did not play after the break. Jeff Green (14 points) and Larry Nance Jr. (10 points on 5-of-5 shooting) stepped up in Love's absence and will be counted on again in Game 7.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (66-34, 62-36-2 ATS, 53-46-1 O/U): Boston took the first three home games in the series by an average of 17 points and already has one Game 7 home win under its belt in the postseason after knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. "It's going to be a lot of fun, first and foremost," Celtics point guard Terry Rozier told reporters of playing Game 7 at home. "...We need the whole city of Boston to be behind us. We know LeBron is different than a lot of other guys, but we've got to get the job done. That's no excuse, so we're looking forward to it." Rozier scored a series-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Game 6 after slumping to eight points on 3-of-15 in Game 5.
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 vs. Atlantic Division opponents.
* Celtics are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 home games.
* Over is 7-3 in Cavaliers last 10 games playing on one days rest.
* Over is 15-6 in Celtics last 21 home games.
* Home team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
The Celtics are a perfect 10-0 SU and ATS this postseason, but trying to take out LeBron is a totally different beast.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (-2.5, 199.5)
Series tied 3-3
The Boston Celtics have yet to lose at home in the playoffs, but a Game 7 against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is different from every other test the young team has faced in the postseason. The Celtics will try to hold homecourt advantage and turn away James and company when they host the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
James stepped up with his team facing elimination in Game 6 on Friday, collecting 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 46 minutes to push Cleveland to a 109-99 win and put himself one win away from an eighth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. "I have a drive. I have a love of the game. I have a passion for the game," James told reporters. "While I have the opportunity to lace my shoes up and put a uniform on, then I try to go out and do my job to the best of my ability. ... I haven't always played great in my career. But I just always want to try to maximize when I'm on the floor, and I've been able to." Boston is trying to maximize its own potential and is prepared for a fight in Game 7. "It's about just winning the game now," Celtics guard Marcus Smart told reporters. "It's not going to be pretty. You got to be able to get down and get dirty. You can't go out and try to look pretty. You have to be ready for a dogfight. We got to be ready to come up with our nose bloodied, we got to be ready to come out with our mouth bloodied, we have to come out ready to fight."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened Game 7 as 2.5-point home favorites and were briefly bet down to -2, but as of Saturday night they had returned to the opening number. The total hit the board at 201.5 and has been gradually bet down to the current number of 199.5.
CONSENSUS: Despite LeBron's elimination game dominance, bettors are still riding with the Celtics at home, with 54 percent of public wagers backing Boston. When it comes to the total, 60 percent of bettors are on the Over. So with the number coming down that could indicate sharp money on the Under.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The home/road dichotomy has been extreme for the Celtics this postseason. Boston is 10-0 SU at home, but just 1-7 SU on the road. In order to advance to the NBA Finals, they must beat a Cavaliers team that is now 6-2 SU in elimination games the past three years after their 10-point Game 6 win on Friday night. LeBron James dominated with 46 points on Friday and his teams are now 5-2 SU all-time in Game 7s." - Steve Merril.
INJURY REPORT:
Cavaliers - C Kevin Love (Out, head).
Celtics - PG Kyrie Irving (Out, knee), SF Gordon Hayward (Out, ankle), PG Shane Larkin (Out, shoulder), Daniel Theis (Out, knee).
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (61-38, 39-59-1 ATS, 46-51-2 O/U): Cleveland will spend the off day and the hours leading up to Game 7 monitoring the health of James, who was forced to play through a knee injury in the fourth quarter on Friday, and the team is expected to be without power forward Kevin Love in Game 7 after he was placed in the concussion protocol. The Cavaliers used a combination of players in the second half on Friday to fill the gap caused by the exit of Love, who has a history of concussions and did not play after the break. Jeff Green (14 points) and Larry Nance Jr. (10 points on 5-of-5 shooting) stepped up in Love's absence and will be counted on again in Game 7.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (66-34, 62-36-2 ATS, 53-46-1 O/U): Boston took the first three home games in the series by an average of 17 points and already has one Game 7 home win under its belt in the postseason after knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. "It's going to be a lot of fun, first and foremost," Celtics point guard Terry Rozier told reporters of playing Game 7 at home. "...We need the whole city of Boston to be behind us. We know LeBron is different than a lot of other guys, but we've got to get the job done. That's no excuse, so we're looking forward to it." Rozier scored a series-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Game 6 after slumping to eight points on 3-of-15 in Game 5.
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 vs. Atlantic Division opponents.
* Celtics are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 home games.
* Over is 7-3 in Cavaliers last 10 games playing on one days rest.
* Over is 15-6 in Celtics last 21 home games.
* Home team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
NBA Playoffs - Game 7 Facts
May 26, 2018
Game 7 Quick Facts
-- The NBA has had 130 Game 7?s in playoff history
-- The home team is 104-26 (80%) in those games
-- The 2018 NBA playoffs has had two Game 7's and the home teams own a perfect 2-0 record.
Eastern Conference First Round - Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Eastern Conference First Round - Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
-- The 2017 NBA playoffs only had two Game 7's and the results were split with the Jazz capturing a rare road victory.
Western Conference First Round - Utah 104 at L.A. Clippers 91
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Boston 115 vs. Washington 105
-- The 2016 NBA playoffs had five Game 7's played and the home team won four games (3-2 ATS), two of the victories coming by double digits.
Eastern Conference First Round - Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 73
Eastern Conference First Round - Toronto 89 vs. Indiana 84
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Toronto 116 vs. Miami 89
Western Conference Finals - Golden State 96 vs. Oklahoma City 88
NBA Finals - Cleveland 93 at Golden State 89
-- The 2015 postseason featured two Game 7's. The home team went 2-0 with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets capturing victories.
-- The 2014 postseason featured five Game 7's. The home team went 4-1 in those games and the lone visitor to win was Brooklyn, who defeated Toronto 104-103 in overtime.
Cleveland Game 7 Recent History
The Cavaliers have played in six Game 7's in franchise history. They've gone 4-2 in those contests, including a four-point victory over the Pacers in the opening round of this postseason.
2018 Eastern Conference First Round
Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Boston Game 7 Recent History
The Celtics have appeared in 31 Game 7's in franchise history. They've posted a 23-8 record dating back to 1957. Boston has picked up a pair of Game 7 home wins the last two postseasons by knocking out Washington in the 2017 conference semifinals and Milwaukee in this season's opening round.
2018 Eastern Conference First Round
Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
ALL-TIME GAME 7 ROAD WINNERS
Year Road Team Home Team Round
2017 Utah 104 L.A. Clippers 91 First round
2016 Cleveland 93 Golden State 89 NBA Finals
2014 Brooklyn 104 Toronto 103 First round
2013 Chicago 99 Brooklyn 93 First round
2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round
2009 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals
2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals
2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round
2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals
2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals
2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round
2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals
2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals
1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals
1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals
1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals
1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals
1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals
1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals
1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals
1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals
1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals
1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals
1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals
1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals
1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals
(*) Asterisk denotes overtime
May 26, 2018
Game 7 Quick Facts
-- The NBA has had 130 Game 7?s in playoff history
-- The home team is 104-26 (80%) in those games
-- The 2018 NBA playoffs has had two Game 7's and the home teams own a perfect 2-0 record.
Eastern Conference First Round - Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Eastern Conference First Round - Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
-- The 2017 NBA playoffs only had two Game 7's and the results were split with the Jazz capturing a rare road victory.
Western Conference First Round - Utah 104 at L.A. Clippers 91
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Boston 115 vs. Washington 105
-- The 2016 NBA playoffs had five Game 7's played and the home team won four games (3-2 ATS), two of the victories coming by double digits.
Eastern Conference First Round - Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 73
Eastern Conference First Round - Toronto 89 vs. Indiana 84
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Toronto 116 vs. Miami 89
Western Conference Finals - Golden State 96 vs. Oklahoma City 88
NBA Finals - Cleveland 93 at Golden State 89
-- The 2015 postseason featured two Game 7's. The home team went 2-0 with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets capturing victories.
-- The 2014 postseason featured five Game 7's. The home team went 4-1 in those games and the lone visitor to win was Brooklyn, who defeated Toronto 104-103 in overtime.
Cleveland Game 7 Recent History
The Cavaliers have played in six Game 7's in franchise history. They've gone 4-2 in those contests, including a four-point victory over the Pacers in the opening round of this postseason.
2018 Eastern Conference First Round
Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Boston Game 7 Recent History
The Celtics have appeared in 31 Game 7's in franchise history. They've posted a 23-8 record dating back to 1957. Boston has picked up a pair of Game 7 home wins the last two postseasons by knocking out Washington in the 2017 conference semifinals and Milwaukee in this season's opening round.
2018 Eastern Conference First Round
Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
ALL-TIME GAME 7 ROAD WINNERS
Year Road Team Home Team Round
2017 Utah 104 L.A. Clippers 91 First round
2016 Cleveland 93 Golden State 89 NBA Finals
2014 Brooklyn 104 Toronto 103 First round
2013 Chicago 99 Brooklyn 93 First round
2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round
2009 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals
2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals
2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round
2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals
2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals
2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round
2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals
2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals
1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals
1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals
1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals
1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals
1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals
1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals
1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals
1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals
1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals
1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals
1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals
1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals
1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals
(*) Asterisk denotes overtime
Game 7 - Cavaliers at Celtics
May 26, 2018
Eastern Conference Finals ? Game 7
Cleveland at Boston (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
The phrase ?A playoff series hasn?t started until a road team wins? applies in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the second time in three playoff series, the Celtics are headed to a Game 7 at TD Garden as the home teams own a perfect 6-0 record between Boston and Cleveland. Needless to say that plenty is on line for Sunday?s matchup in Beantown, most notably LeBron James looking to extend his run to the NBA Finals to eight straight seasons with a win.
James and the Cavaliers faced elimination in Friday?s Game 6 at Quicken Loans Arena, but Cleveland came through by defeating Boston, 109-99 to cash as seven-point favorites and stay alive for at least one more game. The four-time league Most Valuable Player did the heavy lifting once again by scoring 46 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. James knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes to pick up some breathing room from the feisty Celtics as the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 in the last three playoff games at home since 2016 when sitting one loss away from elimination.
The Cavaliers? role players needed to step up and they did after Kevin Love exited the game five minutes in following a collision with Boston?s Jayson Tatum. Guard George Hill scored a playoff-best 20 points for Cleveland, while Jeff Green and Larry Nance, Jr. combined to put up 24 points off the bench. Besides James hitting 5-of-7 three-point attempts, the rest of the Cavaliers struggled from downtown by shooting 4-of-16.
Boston?s road record dropped to a dreadful 1-7 in the postseason following Friday?s setback, as all six games in this series have been decided by nine points or more. The good news for Boston is it shot the ball better in Game 6 at 51% from the floor, compared to 36.5% in the Game 5 victory. Young guns Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown combined to score 55 points, while Rozier connected on 6-of-10 three-point attempts. Al Horford was pretty non-existent by putting up six points on 2-of-8 shooting, while Boston struggled from the line by converting on 11-of-20 free throw attempts.
So Brad Stevens? team transitions from the bad road Celtics to the tremendous home Celtics for Game 7. Boston has yet to lose a game at TD Garden in the postseason at 10-0, which includes a Game 7 blowout of Milwaukee in the first round. In fact, Boston has won 14 of its past 15 home games dating back to a late rally to surprise Oklahoma City on March 20. Boston?s defense hasn?t allowed more than 94 points in any of the three home wins against Cleveland in this series, while incredibly covering in all 10 home victories.
The Cavaliers will be without Love for Game 7, who is still in the concussion protocol. Love averaged 17.6 points per game in the regular season, but that number dropped to 13.9 ppg in the playoffs. Cleveland put together a 13-10 record without Love in the lineup this season, including an 8-4 mark away from Quicken Loans Arena.
Even though Sunday?s decisive matchup is being played at TD Garden, Chris David of VegasInsider.com was surprised by the opening number posted for Boston.
He explained, ?I thought this game should?ve opened at a pick ?em but the books are factoring in the status of Love. While he?s the second option for the Cavs, he?s been anything but spectacular in this series or the playoffs. For me, this is LeBron against Boston and when I see the Cavs catching points albeit small, I tend to lean to the opinion of the oddsmakers.?
?For the most part, Boston has lived up to those expectations as a favorite against LeBron. Since James returned to Cleveland in the 2014-15 season, the Cavaliers have been listed as road ?dogs six times at TD Garden which includes Game 5 of this series. Cleveland is just 2-4 in those games and three of the setbacks came by double digits,? added David.
While David wasn?t keen on the opening number on Boston, he believes the total for Game 7 is correct and he expects another low-scoring affair.
?This number has already dropped off the opener (201 ? to 200) and I would expect the total to close in the nineties by tip-off on Sunday. The ?under? is 5-1 in this series and the low side was never in doubt in four of those results. Outside of two ridiculous scoring efforts (128, 113) in the conference semis against Toronto, the Cavaliers are averaging 90.1 PPG on the road in the playoffs,? he said.
?Even though both Boston and Cleveland saw their first Game 7 matchups in this year?s postseason go ?over? against Milwaukee and Indiana respectively, these decisive matchups often become tight games. Possessions will certainly be at a premium on Sunday and barring loose whistles by the officials, I don?t see the winner scoring triple digits in this contest. Along with leaning to the ?under? in the game, I would press the low side in each half and lean to the team totals low for both clubs.?
NBA expert Tony Mejia gives his spin on the Love injury, ?Stevens can see exactly what went wrong on Friday while also being able to produce counters for what Cleveland did well with Green on the floor. The former No. 4 pick is now the x-factor and has actually performed better than Love in the series since the concussed All-Star averaged just 12 points over the course of Games 3 through 5 while getting picked on defensively. The line remained in the 2.5-point range immediately after the news broke that Love would be sidelined, so oddsmakers aren?t putting too much importance on his absence.?
James no doubt flourishes when a series is on the line, as his teams have been successful to the tune of 5-2 in Game 7?s in his career.
LEBRON JAMES - GAME 7 HISTORY
Year - Round Opponent Stat Line SU/ATS Results
2006 EC Semis at Detroit 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists L/L
2008 EC Semis at Boston 45 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists L/W
2012 EC Finals vs. Boston 31 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists W/W
2013 EC Finals vs. Indiana 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists W/W
2013 NBA Finals vs. San Antonio 37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists W/W
2016 NBA Finals at Golden State 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists W/W
2018 EC Quarters vs. Indiana 45 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists W/L
Also, the UNDER was on a 6-0 streak in the first six games prior to an OVER cashed against Indiana in the first round victory. That game should have finished UNDER the closing total of 200 ? as Cleveland led 102-96 with 24 seconds remaining prior to eight points scored down the stretch.
James has never won a Game 7 on the road against an Eastern Conference team in his career, while the Cavaliers own an 0-4 record in the playoffs on the highway following a home win with three of the losses coming by double-digits.
May 26, 2018
Eastern Conference Finals ? Game 7
Cleveland at Boston (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
The phrase ?A playoff series hasn?t started until a road team wins? applies in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the second time in three playoff series, the Celtics are headed to a Game 7 at TD Garden as the home teams own a perfect 6-0 record between Boston and Cleveland. Needless to say that plenty is on line for Sunday?s matchup in Beantown, most notably LeBron James looking to extend his run to the NBA Finals to eight straight seasons with a win.
James and the Cavaliers faced elimination in Friday?s Game 6 at Quicken Loans Arena, but Cleveland came through by defeating Boston, 109-99 to cash as seven-point favorites and stay alive for at least one more game. The four-time league Most Valuable Player did the heavy lifting once again by scoring 46 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. James knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes to pick up some breathing room from the feisty Celtics as the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 in the last three playoff games at home since 2016 when sitting one loss away from elimination.
The Cavaliers? role players needed to step up and they did after Kevin Love exited the game five minutes in following a collision with Boston?s Jayson Tatum. Guard George Hill scored a playoff-best 20 points for Cleveland, while Jeff Green and Larry Nance, Jr. combined to put up 24 points off the bench. Besides James hitting 5-of-7 three-point attempts, the rest of the Cavaliers struggled from downtown by shooting 4-of-16.
Boston?s road record dropped to a dreadful 1-7 in the postseason following Friday?s setback, as all six games in this series have been decided by nine points or more. The good news for Boston is it shot the ball better in Game 6 at 51% from the floor, compared to 36.5% in the Game 5 victory. Young guns Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown combined to score 55 points, while Rozier connected on 6-of-10 three-point attempts. Al Horford was pretty non-existent by putting up six points on 2-of-8 shooting, while Boston struggled from the line by converting on 11-of-20 free throw attempts.
So Brad Stevens? team transitions from the bad road Celtics to the tremendous home Celtics for Game 7. Boston has yet to lose a game at TD Garden in the postseason at 10-0, which includes a Game 7 blowout of Milwaukee in the first round. In fact, Boston has won 14 of its past 15 home games dating back to a late rally to surprise Oklahoma City on March 20. Boston?s defense hasn?t allowed more than 94 points in any of the three home wins against Cleveland in this series, while incredibly covering in all 10 home victories.
The Cavaliers will be without Love for Game 7, who is still in the concussion protocol. Love averaged 17.6 points per game in the regular season, but that number dropped to 13.9 ppg in the playoffs. Cleveland put together a 13-10 record without Love in the lineup this season, including an 8-4 mark away from Quicken Loans Arena.
Even though Sunday?s decisive matchup is being played at TD Garden, Chris David of VegasInsider.com was surprised by the opening number posted for Boston.
He explained, ?I thought this game should?ve opened at a pick ?em but the books are factoring in the status of Love. While he?s the second option for the Cavs, he?s been anything but spectacular in this series or the playoffs. For me, this is LeBron against Boston and when I see the Cavs catching points albeit small, I tend to lean to the opinion of the oddsmakers.?
?For the most part, Boston has lived up to those expectations as a favorite against LeBron. Since James returned to Cleveland in the 2014-15 season, the Cavaliers have been listed as road ?dogs six times at TD Garden which includes Game 5 of this series. Cleveland is just 2-4 in those games and three of the setbacks came by double digits,? added David.
While David wasn?t keen on the opening number on Boston, he believes the total for Game 7 is correct and he expects another low-scoring affair.
?This number has already dropped off the opener (201 ? to 200) and I would expect the total to close in the nineties by tip-off on Sunday. The ?under? is 5-1 in this series and the low side was never in doubt in four of those results. Outside of two ridiculous scoring efforts (128, 113) in the conference semis against Toronto, the Cavaliers are averaging 90.1 PPG on the road in the playoffs,? he said.
?Even though both Boston and Cleveland saw their first Game 7 matchups in this year?s postseason go ?over? against Milwaukee and Indiana respectively, these decisive matchups often become tight games. Possessions will certainly be at a premium on Sunday and barring loose whistles by the officials, I don?t see the winner scoring triple digits in this contest. Along with leaning to the ?under? in the game, I would press the low side in each half and lean to the team totals low for both clubs.?
NBA expert Tony Mejia gives his spin on the Love injury, ?Stevens can see exactly what went wrong on Friday while also being able to produce counters for what Cleveland did well with Green on the floor. The former No. 4 pick is now the x-factor and has actually performed better than Love in the series since the concussed All-Star averaged just 12 points over the course of Games 3 through 5 while getting picked on defensively. The line remained in the 2.5-point range immediately after the news broke that Love would be sidelined, so oddsmakers aren?t putting too much importance on his absence.?
James no doubt flourishes when a series is on the line, as his teams have been successful to the tune of 5-2 in Game 7?s in his career.
LEBRON JAMES - GAME 7 HISTORY
Year - Round Opponent Stat Line SU/ATS Results
2006 EC Semis at Detroit 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists L/L
2008 EC Semis at Boston 45 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists L/W
2012 EC Finals vs. Boston 31 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists W/W
2013 EC Finals vs. Indiana 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists W/W
2013 NBA Finals vs. San Antonio 37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists W/W
2016 NBA Finals at Golden State 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists W/W
2018 EC Quarters vs. Indiana 45 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists W/L
Also, the UNDER was on a 6-0 streak in the first six games prior to an OVER cashed against Indiana in the first round victory. That game should have finished UNDER the closing total of 200 ? as Cleveland led 102-96 with 24 seconds remaining prior to eight points scored down the stretch.
James has never won a Game 7 on the road against an Eastern Conference team in his career, while the Cavaliers own an 0-4 record in the playoffs on the highway following a home win with three of the losses coming by double-digits.
LeBron faces another crossroads in Boston
May 26, 2018
BOSTON (AP) LeBron James and the depleted Cleveland Cavaliers won't get any sympathy from the Celtics when they return to Boston for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Already laboring to reach his eighth straight NBA Finals with a supporting crew made mostly of cast-offs and throw-ins, James lost the only other All-Star on the roster on Saturday when Kevin Love was declared out for the series finale with a concussion.
Now, in what could be his final game in a Cleveland uniform - again - James will have to do it largely on his own.
In Boston, where the Celtics are perfect so far this postseason.
And in a series where the road team hasn't really even come close.
''There's something different about LeBron, period,'' Cleveland forward Larry Nance Jr. said after James scored 46 with 11 rebounds and nine assists on Friday night to send the series to a decisive seventh game. ''I think (coach Tyronn Lue) said it best: `We're going into a Game 7 with the baddest dude on the planet on our team.' I like our chances.''
James is having what could be the best postseason of his career, averaging 33.9 points and just under nine assists and rebounds, with seven 40-point games, two buzzer beaters, and a sweep of top-seeded Toronto. But he's played in every game this season - Sunday will be his 100th - and it showed in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics.
He admitted to fatigue afterward, and then played all but two minutes in Game 6 despite a sore knee from a collision with Nance.
Still, the four-time MVP carried his team even after Love banged heads with Boston's Jayson Tatum in the first half and left the game.
''I can't say enough good things about him,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ''Every time we watch. Every time you're standing out there. Every time you watch him on film. Best player in the game.''
James will probably have to do it again in Game 7 to reach the NBA Finals for the eighth straight year, something accomplished only by Bill Russell and some of his Celtics teammates in the 1960s.
Lue said he wasn't concerned about James' leg. Or about the team's history in the TD Garden, where the Cavaliers lost the first three games by an average of 17 points.
''We throw it all out,'' Lue said on Saturday. ''It's one game left to go to the NBA Finals.''
The Celtics have had their own injury problems, starting in the first quarter of the season opener - at Cleveland - when top free agent Gordon Hayward went out for the year with a broken leg. Five-time All-Star Kyrie Irving, acquired from the Cavaliers in an offseason roster overhaul, needed knee surgery and was lost in March.
But they caught a break when Tatum was cleared to play on Saturday. Stevens said the team doctors checked on him ''and he's great.''
''So nothing there as far as to be concerned about,'' Stevens said.
Well, there's one thing to be concerned about.
''We know LeBron is different than a lot of other guys, but we've got to get the job done,'' Celtics guard Terry Rozier said. ''That's no excuse, so we're looking forward to it.''
For James, it's an opportunity to extend the season for his hometown team and put off another summer of questions about his future. Eight years ago, he came to Boston for the conference semifinals and had a triple-double - 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists - but shot 8 for 21 with nine turnovers and the Celtics eliminated the Cavs from the playoffs.
As he left the court, James stripped off his Cleveland jersey; then came ''The Decision'' and the move to Miami.
James is again able to become a free agent this season, with the Lakers, 76ers and Rockets among the most-mentioned destinations. Having led Cleveland to the city's first major sports title in half a century in 2016, there is less pulling at him to stay home this time.
But another title would ease the pain even more. And with the injury bug hitting the Western Conference finalists - Chris Paul was the latest ruled out for a game - the East champion might not be as big an underdog as expected.
James will be ready.
''You've got to be poised. You've got to be able to handle a punch or two,'' he said. ''We know it's challenging. They're 10-0 on their home floor, and they've been very successful against us, obviously, at home. But if you love challenges, then this is a great opportunity.''
May 26, 2018
BOSTON (AP) LeBron James and the depleted Cleveland Cavaliers won't get any sympathy from the Celtics when they return to Boston for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Already laboring to reach his eighth straight NBA Finals with a supporting crew made mostly of cast-offs and throw-ins, James lost the only other All-Star on the roster on Saturday when Kevin Love was declared out for the series finale with a concussion.
Now, in what could be his final game in a Cleveland uniform - again - James will have to do it largely on his own.
In Boston, where the Celtics are perfect so far this postseason.
And in a series where the road team hasn't really even come close.
''There's something different about LeBron, period,'' Cleveland forward Larry Nance Jr. said after James scored 46 with 11 rebounds and nine assists on Friday night to send the series to a decisive seventh game. ''I think (coach Tyronn Lue) said it best: `We're going into a Game 7 with the baddest dude on the planet on our team.' I like our chances.''
James is having what could be the best postseason of his career, averaging 33.9 points and just under nine assists and rebounds, with seven 40-point games, two buzzer beaters, and a sweep of top-seeded Toronto. But he's played in every game this season - Sunday will be his 100th - and it showed in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics.
He admitted to fatigue afterward, and then played all but two minutes in Game 6 despite a sore knee from a collision with Nance.
Still, the four-time MVP carried his team even after Love banged heads with Boston's Jayson Tatum in the first half and left the game.
''I can't say enough good things about him,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ''Every time we watch. Every time you're standing out there. Every time you watch him on film. Best player in the game.''
James will probably have to do it again in Game 7 to reach the NBA Finals for the eighth straight year, something accomplished only by Bill Russell and some of his Celtics teammates in the 1960s.
Lue said he wasn't concerned about James' leg. Or about the team's history in the TD Garden, where the Cavaliers lost the first three games by an average of 17 points.
''We throw it all out,'' Lue said on Saturday. ''It's one game left to go to the NBA Finals.''
The Celtics have had their own injury problems, starting in the first quarter of the season opener - at Cleveland - when top free agent Gordon Hayward went out for the year with a broken leg. Five-time All-Star Kyrie Irving, acquired from the Cavaliers in an offseason roster overhaul, needed knee surgery and was lost in March.
But they caught a break when Tatum was cleared to play on Saturday. Stevens said the team doctors checked on him ''and he's great.''
''So nothing there as far as to be concerned about,'' Stevens said.
Well, there's one thing to be concerned about.
''We know LeBron is different than a lot of other guys, but we've got to get the job done,'' Celtics guard Terry Rozier said. ''That's no excuse, so we're looking forward to it.''
For James, it's an opportunity to extend the season for his hometown team and put off another summer of questions about his future. Eight years ago, he came to Boston for the conference semifinals and had a triple-double - 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists - but shot 8 for 21 with nine turnovers and the Celtics eliminated the Cavs from the playoffs.
As he left the court, James stripped off his Cleveland jersey; then came ''The Decision'' and the move to Miami.
James is again able to become a free agent this season, with the Lakers, 76ers and Rockets among the most-mentioned destinations. Having led Cleveland to the city's first major sports title in half a century in 2016, there is less pulling at him to stay home this time.
But another title would ease the pain even more. And with the injury bug hitting the Western Conference finalists - Chris Paul was the latest ruled out for a game - the East champion might not be as big an underdog as expected.
James will be ready.
''You've got to be poised. You've got to be able to handle a punch or two,'' he said. ''We know it's challenging. They're 10-0 on their home floor, and they've been very successful against us, obviously, at home. But if you love challenges, then this is a great opportunity.''
Cavs' Love has head injury, day-to-day
May 26, 2018
CLEVELAND (AP) Kevin Love won't be able to help LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 7 against the Celtics.
Love was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol and the All-Star forward will miss Sunday's series finale of the Eastern Conference finals, a personal blow and yet another challenge for Cleveland to overcome.
The Cavaliers said Love, who inadvertently bashed heads with Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum in the first quarter of Game 6, experienced concussion-like symptoms Saturday before the team's flight to Boston.
Moments before the Cavs sent a news release updating Love's status, coach Tyronn Lue held a confusing teleconference during which he said the 29-year-old was still being evaluated and there was a possibility he could play.
However, like everything else in this erratic, convoluted season for Cleveland, things changed quickly.
Now, the Cavs will be without their second-leading scorer and top rebounder as they try to win their fourth straight conference title against a younger team that is 10-0 at home in the playoffs.
Love is averaging 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds in 17 playoff starts, and he's the No. 2 scoring option for the Cavs, who have leaned on James harder than ever this postseason.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens believes the Cavaliers are dangerous even without Love.
''We'll have to prepare our team to play well, regardless of who plays for them,'' Stevens said. ''Obviously, they'll run a little bit less of the Love stuff, and more of the other stuff ... probably more opportunities for LeBron, more opportunities for (Kyle) Korver and (J.R.) Smith, more opportunities off those pick and rolls. All of them were very effective for them last night.''
There is statistical data to support that the Cavaliers have been more effective in the series when Love has been out. But while Cleveland may be better defensively, Love's shot-making ability helps the Cavs spread the floor and open driving lanes for James.
''You can switch more,'' Lue said. ''I think when Jeff (Green) is in there playing that position, it makes you more versatile defensively. But we miss his rebounding. We miss his offensive ability. It kind of all cancels out.''
James scored 46 points in Friday's victory, his latest jaw-dropping performance in what has been perhaps the greatest postseason of the superstar's storied career. James is averaging 33.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists and has had seven 40-point games and two-buzzer beaters.
The 33-year-old's next challenge: finding a way to beat the Celtics, who have played at another level on their home floor.
It's interesting that as James tries to advance to his eighth straight NBA Finals - a feat accomplished only by legendary Celtics center Bill Russell and three other Boston players - that Love will be in street clothes on Cleveland's bench and Kyrie Irving will be sitting on Boston's.
The Cavs relented to Irving's request and traded him to the Celtics last summer, but the All-Star point guard didn't play in this postseason after undergoing knee surgery.
At one time, James, Irving and Love comprised Cleveland's ''Big 3,'' a power trio that won an NBA championship together and went to three straight Finals before fracturing.
After Love went down Friday, James, who played the final eight minutes on a sore right knee, got help from George Hill (20 points), Green (14 points) and Larry Nance Jr. (10 points) as the Cavaliers fought off elimination for the second time in these playoffs.
Lue said he wasn't concerned about James, who favored his leg while slowly walking out of Quicken Loans Arena early Saturday after Game 6.
For Love, the concussion is another setback in a tough season. He missed seven weeks with a broken hand and revealed he has had bouts of panic attacks.
Love has suffered at least two other known concussions in his career - one that kept him out of Game 3 in the 2016 NBA Finals. He also missed a game at Charlotte on March 28 with a head injury.
Love missed the majority of Cleveland's 2015 run to the Finals after separating his shoulder in the first round against Boston.
May 26, 2018
CLEVELAND (AP) Kevin Love won't be able to help LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 7 against the Celtics.
Love was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol and the All-Star forward will miss Sunday's series finale of the Eastern Conference finals, a personal blow and yet another challenge for Cleveland to overcome.
The Cavaliers said Love, who inadvertently bashed heads with Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum in the first quarter of Game 6, experienced concussion-like symptoms Saturday before the team's flight to Boston.
Moments before the Cavs sent a news release updating Love's status, coach Tyronn Lue held a confusing teleconference during which he said the 29-year-old was still being evaluated and there was a possibility he could play.
However, like everything else in this erratic, convoluted season for Cleveland, things changed quickly.
Now, the Cavs will be without their second-leading scorer and top rebounder as they try to win their fourth straight conference title against a younger team that is 10-0 at home in the playoffs.
Love is averaging 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds in 17 playoff starts, and he's the No. 2 scoring option for the Cavs, who have leaned on James harder than ever this postseason.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens believes the Cavaliers are dangerous even without Love.
''We'll have to prepare our team to play well, regardless of who plays for them,'' Stevens said. ''Obviously, they'll run a little bit less of the Love stuff, and more of the other stuff ... probably more opportunities for LeBron, more opportunities for (Kyle) Korver and (J.R.) Smith, more opportunities off those pick and rolls. All of them were very effective for them last night.''
There is statistical data to support that the Cavaliers have been more effective in the series when Love has been out. But while Cleveland may be better defensively, Love's shot-making ability helps the Cavs spread the floor and open driving lanes for James.
''You can switch more,'' Lue said. ''I think when Jeff (Green) is in there playing that position, it makes you more versatile defensively. But we miss his rebounding. We miss his offensive ability. It kind of all cancels out.''
James scored 46 points in Friday's victory, his latest jaw-dropping performance in what has been perhaps the greatest postseason of the superstar's storied career. James is averaging 33.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists and has had seven 40-point games and two-buzzer beaters.
The 33-year-old's next challenge: finding a way to beat the Celtics, who have played at another level on their home floor.
It's interesting that as James tries to advance to his eighth straight NBA Finals - a feat accomplished only by legendary Celtics center Bill Russell and three other Boston players - that Love will be in street clothes on Cleveland's bench and Kyrie Irving will be sitting on Boston's.
The Cavs relented to Irving's request and traded him to the Celtics last summer, but the All-Star point guard didn't play in this postseason after undergoing knee surgery.
At one time, James, Irving and Love comprised Cleveland's ''Big 3,'' a power trio that won an NBA championship together and went to three straight Finals before fracturing.
After Love went down Friday, James, who played the final eight minutes on a sore right knee, got help from George Hill (20 points), Green (14 points) and Larry Nance Jr. (10 points) as the Cavaliers fought off elimination for the second time in these playoffs.
Lue said he wasn't concerned about James, who favored his leg while slowly walking out of Quicken Loans Arena early Saturday after Game 6.
For Love, the concussion is another setback in a tough season. He missed seven weeks with a broken hand and revealed he has had bouts of panic attacks.
Love has suffered at least two other known concussions in his career - one that kept him out of Game 3 in the 2016 NBA Finals. He also missed a game at Charlotte on March 28 with a head injury.
Love missed the majority of Cleveland's 2015 run to the Finals after separating his shoulder in the first round against Boston.
LeBron lifts Cavs past C's for East title
May 27, 2018
BOSTON (AP) With another Game 7 victory at stake, LeBron James would not sit out.
He would not say goodbye to Cleveland again - not yet, anyway.
And he would not be denied an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
The four-time league MVP scored 35 points with 15 rebounds and nine assists on Sunday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 87-79 win over the Celtics and eliminating Boston from the Eastern Conference finals in the decisive seventh game.
''He's had a lot of gaudy games,'' Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. ''But I just think Game 7, in Boston, all the circumstances that surround Boston, the history ... to come here in a hostile environment: (it's) right there.''
In the first close game, the lowest-scoring and the first victory for a road team in the series, James played all 48 minutes, scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter for his sixth straight Game 7 win. Lue used his timeouts to get his star an extra few minutes of rest when he could, and James didn't warm up at halftime to conserve his energy.
''It was asked of me tonight to play the whole game,'' he said. ''And I just tried to figure out how I can get through it.''
James played all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career and is already at 100 for the year with at least four more to come. He tired late in Game 5, when the Celtics won their 10th straight at home this postseason.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the plan was to wear James out.
Nice try.
''Our goal going into the series was to make him exert as much energy as humanly possible and try to be as good as we can on everybody else,'' Stevens said. ''For the most part, I thought we were pretty good at that ... but he still scored 35. It's a joke.''
For James, a potential free agent, the victory postponed a decision about his future until next month.
Now, the only question is who the Cavaliers will play for a chance at their second title in three years: The Rockets host Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against Golden State on Monday night, and the winner will host the opener of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
The Cavaliers are expected to be underdogs against either.
''We have an opportunity to play for a championship,'' James said. ''It doesn't matter what the story line is going to be, it doesn't matter if we're picked to win or not. I'm the wrong guy to ask. I just like to compete.''
Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Al Horford had 17 and Marcus Morris added 14 points with 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who were looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Tatum had a dunk over James with 6:41 left - staring down the Cavaliers star and bumping him with his chest - then followed it with a 3-pointer that gave the Celtics a 72-71 lead. But that would be Boston's last basket for more than five minutes while Cleveland went on a 15-2 run to put the game away.
James embraced Horford and Tatum after the buzzer, then the Cavaliers donned celebratory hats and T-shirts before shuffling off the court to receive the Eastern Conference championship trophy.
It's not the one they want.
James has been in the finals every year since 2011 - four with Miami, and now four straight with Cleveland.
This might be his weakest supporting cast.
He had to do it without Kevin Love - Cleveland's only other all-star - who sustained a concussion in Game 6 and was replaced in the lineup by Jeff Green. Making his first start since the first-round opener against Indiana, Green scored 19 points and added eight rebounds - the star of James' starless supporting cast.
''We said we want to do this for Kevin,'' Lue said. ''Kevin wanted to play, to be in a Game 7 situation like this in the Eastern Conference Finals, being an All-Star, being our second-best player, and he just wasn't able to go. The guys picked him up, so now he has another chance when we get to the finals to be ready.''
The Celtics have had more time to get used to their injuries: Gordon Hayward has been out since the first game of the season, and Kyrie Irving has been sidelined since March. With the rookie Tatum and second-year Jaylen Brown, Boston established itself as the team of the future in the East.
''It was pretty incredible run by an incredible group of guys, and an absolute pleasure and privilege to be around them every day,'' Stevens said. ''We obviously have a good thing going.''
But the present still belongs to James.
And, for now, that means Cleveland, too.
ADMIRING HIS WORK
The Celtics led by as many as 12 points in the first half, and they had a 51-47 lead midway through the third quarter when James hit a long 3-pointer and then Green made a 3 of his own. James hit Tristan Thompson for an alley-oop to give Cleveland a 55-51 lead, but then James threw the ball away and sent Terry Rozier off on a fast break.
James tracked the Celtics guard from the far sideline, timing his attack. When Rozier went up for the lay-in, James blocked it off the backboard and right to Green. James did not run back down the court, resting up while Green drew a foul at the other end and made one free throw to give the Cavaliers their biggest lead of the game.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Shot just 2 of 17 from 3-point range in the first half, making three of their first 22 shots from long range before James and Green connected on back-to-back attempts midway through the third quarter.
Celtics: Tatum is the first rookie to have 10 or more playoff games with at least 20 points since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970. Tatum's 351 points this postseason was one short of Abdul-Jabbar's record of 352. ... Paul Pierce, whose number was retired by the Celtics this season, cheered the team on from courtside. ... Rapper 21 Savage was also at the game. ... Boston was 7 for 39 from 3-point range, with Rozier missing all 10 of his attempts.
May 27, 2018
BOSTON (AP) With another Game 7 victory at stake, LeBron James would not sit out.
He would not say goodbye to Cleveland again - not yet, anyway.
And he would not be denied an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
The four-time league MVP scored 35 points with 15 rebounds and nine assists on Sunday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 87-79 win over the Celtics and eliminating Boston from the Eastern Conference finals in the decisive seventh game.
''He's had a lot of gaudy games,'' Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. ''But I just think Game 7, in Boston, all the circumstances that surround Boston, the history ... to come here in a hostile environment: (it's) right there.''
In the first close game, the lowest-scoring and the first victory for a road team in the series, James played all 48 minutes, scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter for his sixth straight Game 7 win. Lue used his timeouts to get his star an extra few minutes of rest when he could, and James didn't warm up at halftime to conserve his energy.
''It was asked of me tonight to play the whole game,'' he said. ''And I just tried to figure out how I can get through it.''
James played all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career and is already at 100 for the year with at least four more to come. He tired late in Game 5, when the Celtics won their 10th straight at home this postseason.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the plan was to wear James out.
Nice try.
''Our goal going into the series was to make him exert as much energy as humanly possible and try to be as good as we can on everybody else,'' Stevens said. ''For the most part, I thought we were pretty good at that ... but he still scored 35. It's a joke.''
For James, a potential free agent, the victory postponed a decision about his future until next month.
Now, the only question is who the Cavaliers will play for a chance at their second title in three years: The Rockets host Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against Golden State on Monday night, and the winner will host the opener of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
The Cavaliers are expected to be underdogs against either.
''We have an opportunity to play for a championship,'' James said. ''It doesn't matter what the story line is going to be, it doesn't matter if we're picked to win or not. I'm the wrong guy to ask. I just like to compete.''
Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Al Horford had 17 and Marcus Morris added 14 points with 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who were looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Tatum had a dunk over James with 6:41 left - staring down the Cavaliers star and bumping him with his chest - then followed it with a 3-pointer that gave the Celtics a 72-71 lead. But that would be Boston's last basket for more than five minutes while Cleveland went on a 15-2 run to put the game away.
James embraced Horford and Tatum after the buzzer, then the Cavaliers donned celebratory hats and T-shirts before shuffling off the court to receive the Eastern Conference championship trophy.
It's not the one they want.
James has been in the finals every year since 2011 - four with Miami, and now four straight with Cleveland.
This might be his weakest supporting cast.
He had to do it without Kevin Love - Cleveland's only other all-star - who sustained a concussion in Game 6 and was replaced in the lineup by Jeff Green. Making his first start since the first-round opener against Indiana, Green scored 19 points and added eight rebounds - the star of James' starless supporting cast.
''We said we want to do this for Kevin,'' Lue said. ''Kevin wanted to play, to be in a Game 7 situation like this in the Eastern Conference Finals, being an All-Star, being our second-best player, and he just wasn't able to go. The guys picked him up, so now he has another chance when we get to the finals to be ready.''
The Celtics have had more time to get used to their injuries: Gordon Hayward has been out since the first game of the season, and Kyrie Irving has been sidelined since March. With the rookie Tatum and second-year Jaylen Brown, Boston established itself as the team of the future in the East.
''It was pretty incredible run by an incredible group of guys, and an absolute pleasure and privilege to be around them every day,'' Stevens said. ''We obviously have a good thing going.''
But the present still belongs to James.
And, for now, that means Cleveland, too.
ADMIRING HIS WORK
The Celtics led by as many as 12 points in the first half, and they had a 51-47 lead midway through the third quarter when James hit a long 3-pointer and then Green made a 3 of his own. James hit Tristan Thompson for an alley-oop to give Cleveland a 55-51 lead, but then James threw the ball away and sent Terry Rozier off on a fast break.
James tracked the Celtics guard from the far sideline, timing his attack. When Rozier went up for the lay-in, James blocked it off the backboard and right to Green. James did not run back down the court, resting up while Green drew a foul at the other end and made one free throw to give the Cavaliers their biggest lead of the game.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Shot just 2 of 17 from 3-point range in the first half, making three of their first 22 shots from long range before James and Green connected on back-to-back attempts midway through the third quarter.
Celtics: Tatum is the first rookie to have 10 or more playoff games with at least 20 points since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970. Tatum's 351 points this postseason was one short of Abdul-Jabbar's record of 352. ... Paul Pierce, whose number was retired by the Celtics this season, cheered the team on from courtside. ... Rapper 21 Savage was also at the game. ... Boston was 7 for 39 from 3-point range, with Rozier missing all 10 of his attempts.
SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY MAY 28, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center
*************************
MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )
05/27/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/26/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/25/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
Totals.............13-23-0........36.11%.....-60.50
BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL
05/27/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/26/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/25/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1...............-5.50.............-11.00
05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50
Totals.......................5 - 13................-46.50..................8 - 10...............-15.00............-61.50
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center
*************************
MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )
05/27/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/26/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/25/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
Totals.............13-23-0........36.11%.....-60.50
BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL
05/27/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/26/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/25/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1...............-5.50.............-11.00
05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50
Totals.......................5 - 13................-46.50..................8 - 10...............-15.00............-61.50
Monday?s 6-pack
SouthPoint released college over/under win totals for football season:
? Colorado 4
? Georgia 10.5, over -$115
? Houston 7.5, over -$115
? Utah 7
? Washington 10.5, under -$120
? West Virginia 7, under -$120
Quote of the Day
?We have an opportunity to play for a championship. It doesn?t matter what the story line is going to be, it doesn?t matter if we?re picked to win or not. I?m the wrong guy to ask. I just like to compete.?
Lebron James, who is good at basketball
Monday?s quiz
When Michael Jordan played minor league baseball, who was his manager?
Sunday?s quiz
James Harden played his college basketball at Arizona State.
Saturday?s quiz
Seahawks/Mariners used to play their home games in the Kingdome.
******************************
Monday?s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend??.
13) Indians 10, Astros 9 (14)- Emotions ran high in this game; Houston manager AJ Hinch got tossed by the home plate ump while there was a 3-0 count on his batter at the plate in the 6th inning.
Previous batter had been called out on a close pitch.
Jose Altuve drilled the first pitch after the ejection for a triple. It was Altuve?s 9th consecutive hit- he later added his 10th consecutive hit, but the Cleveland CF made a sliding catch to end the streak in the ninth inning.
12) Walt Dropo holds the MLB record with 12 consecutive hits, in 1952. Dropo knocked in 144 runs as a Boston rookie in 1950, but in his 13-year career, he never knocked in 100+ runs again.
11) Cleveland bullpen has struggled; Terry Francona left Trevor Bauer in to throw 127 pitches in a game they led 3-2 in 8th inning. the reliever came in, threw eight pitches, and it became 5-3, and later 8-3, which made it obvious why Francona is reluctant to change pitchers.
Astros then blew an 8-3 lead in 9th inning and lost it on a walk-off homer in 14th inning.
10) Over is 15-1 in the Indians? last 16 home games.
9) There is a race car driver named Will Power; he won the Indianapolis 500 Sunday. Feel free to make your own jokes.
8) Not to say the Padres are hurting for pitching, but they traded for Phil Hughes, who the Twins had DFA?d earlier this week. Hughes? ERA?s the last three years: 5.95, 5.87, 6.75.
7) Ronald Acuna left Sunday?s game with knee/lower back pain after he ran out an infield single in Boston. It looked really bad, but the initial reports weren?t as bad; he hyperextended the knee.
6) Oakland A?s have only 18 home runs in the Coliseum this year, but 47 on the road.
5) The guy that founded ESPN over 40 years ago did so after he was fired as Communications Director of the NHL?s Hartford Whalers. One door closes, another opens.
4) Colorado Rockies are 15-7 when backup catcher Tony Walters starts.
3) Zach Greinke has thrown 151 innings since the last time he allowed a stolen base.
2) Rays? pitcher Austin Pruitt got a rare 5-inning save for Tampa Bay Sunday; the last pitcher to throw 5+ innings and get a regular season save was Joaquin Benoit in September 2002- he threw seven innings in his save.
1) Cavaliers 87, Celtics 79? Pretty solid day in Cleveland Sunday; Indians rally back from down five runs in 9th to win, then Cavaliers win a Game 7 in Boston.
SouthPoint released college over/under win totals for football season:
? Colorado 4
? Georgia 10.5, over -$115
? Houston 7.5, over -$115
? Utah 7
? Washington 10.5, under -$120
? West Virginia 7, under -$120
Quote of the Day
?We have an opportunity to play for a championship. It doesn?t matter what the story line is going to be, it doesn?t matter if we?re picked to win or not. I?m the wrong guy to ask. I just like to compete.?
Lebron James, who is good at basketball
Monday?s quiz
When Michael Jordan played minor league baseball, who was his manager?
Sunday?s quiz
James Harden played his college basketball at Arizona State.
Saturday?s quiz
Seahawks/Mariners used to play their home games in the Kingdome.
******************************
Monday?s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend??.
13) Indians 10, Astros 9 (14)- Emotions ran high in this game; Houston manager AJ Hinch got tossed by the home plate ump while there was a 3-0 count on his batter at the plate in the 6th inning.
Previous batter had been called out on a close pitch.
Jose Altuve drilled the first pitch after the ejection for a triple. It was Altuve?s 9th consecutive hit- he later added his 10th consecutive hit, but the Cleveland CF made a sliding catch to end the streak in the ninth inning.
12) Walt Dropo holds the MLB record with 12 consecutive hits, in 1952. Dropo knocked in 144 runs as a Boston rookie in 1950, but in his 13-year career, he never knocked in 100+ runs again.
11) Cleveland bullpen has struggled; Terry Francona left Trevor Bauer in to throw 127 pitches in a game they led 3-2 in 8th inning. the reliever came in, threw eight pitches, and it became 5-3, and later 8-3, which made it obvious why Francona is reluctant to change pitchers.
Astros then blew an 8-3 lead in 9th inning and lost it on a walk-off homer in 14th inning.
10) Over is 15-1 in the Indians? last 16 home games.
9) There is a race car driver named Will Power; he won the Indianapolis 500 Sunday. Feel free to make your own jokes.
8) Not to say the Padres are hurting for pitching, but they traded for Phil Hughes, who the Twins had DFA?d earlier this week. Hughes? ERA?s the last three years: 5.95, 5.87, 6.75.
7) Ronald Acuna left Sunday?s game with knee/lower back pain after he ran out an infield single in Boston. It looked really bad, but the initial reports weren?t as bad; he hyperextended the knee.
6) Oakland A?s have only 18 home runs in the Coliseum this year, but 47 on the road.
5) The guy that founded ESPN over 40 years ago did so after he was fired as Communications Director of the NHL?s Hartford Whalers. One door closes, another opens.
4) Colorado Rockies are 15-7 when backup catcher Tony Walters starts.
3) Zach Greinke has thrown 151 innings since the last time he allowed a stolen base.
2) Rays? pitcher Austin Pruitt got a rare 5-inning save for Tampa Bay Sunday; the last pitcher to throw 5+ innings and get a regular season save was Joaquin Benoit in September 2002- he threw seven innings in his save.
1) Cavaliers 87, Celtics 79? Pretty solid day in Cleveland Sunday; Indians rally back from down five runs in 9th to win, then Cavaliers win a Game 7 in Boston.
Game 7 - Warriors at Rockets
May 27, 2018
Western Conference Finals ? Game 7
Golden State at Houston (TNT, 9:00 p.m. ET)
Not even a 17-point hole in an elimination game fazes the defending champion Warriors. Golden State had its backs against the wall at home against Houston in Game 6, but put together an incredible second half run to even up the Western Conference Finals at 3-3 with a trip back to Houston for a shot at a fourth consecutive NBA Finals trip.
The Rockets stepped up to the challenge in Game 6 early on with point guard Chris Paul sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Houston built a 39-22 advantage after one quarter, but no deficit is too insurmountable for Golden State, who eventually trimmed the Rockets? lead to 10 points at halftime. The Warriors did their usual thing after halftime by outscoring the Rockets in the third quarter, 33-16, followed by a 31-9 whitewashing of Houston in the fourth quarter.
In the end, Golden State crushed Houston, 115-86 to easily cash as 12 ?-point favorites, led by a 64-point effort from the ?Splash Brothers? combination of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. Thompson drilled nine three-pointers, while Curry posted a 29-point performance to give the Warriors their first cover in four chances this postseason in the role of a double-digit favorite.
James Harden carried the load for Houston by scoring 32 points and hitting four three-pointers after failing to knock down a trey in Game 5. Eric Gordon started hot for Houston, but couldn?t carry it into the second half as he finished with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Rockets scratched together only 25 points in the second half, while suffering their third double-digit loss to the Warriors in this series.
The Warriors return to the Toyota Center dropping two consecutive visits after capturing the series opener, 119-106. Houston?s two home wins came off losses, which will be the case in Game 7 once again. The Rockets are riding an 11-game winning streak following a loss dating back to January 8, including a 4-0 record in the playoffs. In those four victories in the postseason, Houston has won by margins of 19, 21, 22, and 3, as the 22-point win in Game 2 against Golden State was the only one in this span that came at home.
Now the question is whether or not Paul will suit up and play in Game 7 for the Rockets. Paul is listed as a game-time decision for the series finale and his presence is paramount for Houston to have a chance at advancing to its first NBA Finals since 1995.
Chris David of VegasInsider.com felt the opener for Game 7 was high but he believes that bettors shouldn?t overthink this matchup.
He explained, ?Seeing Houston listed as this high of a ?dog makes you believe that the books expect Paul to sit out or at the very least be limited on Monday. From a betting perspective, I wouldn?t be afraid to lay the healthy number with Golden State especially if you believe it will win the game. Since the Warriors started their championship run in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, they?ve been listed as road favorites 28 times. The club has gone 17-11 SU and 16-12 ATS which tells you that they?ve covered all but one of their victories. The bottom line is when Golden State wins, it covers.?
Since the 2014-15 regular season, Houston has only been listed as a home underdog 15 times and they?ve gone 8-7 in those games. In the seven losses, six of them came by double digits. Seven of the matchups came against Golden State.
David offered his opinion for bettors leaning to Houston on Monday.
?Many years ago I was told that you should never bet an underdog with the points unless you believe they can win the game straight up. I get frustrated when I see handicappers and so-called pundits begin their analysis with ?I don?t think the team will win but they can stay within the number.? Where?s the confidence in your selection? Knowing the fact that point-spread hasn?t mattered much on the Warriors as road favorite in the playoffs and Houston hasn?t dropped back-to-back games in the second-half of the season, I would lean to the money-line value on Houston (+220) instead of taking the points,? he said.
The total for Game 7 opened at 210 and has moved to 209 as of Sunday evening.
David weighed on the number. He said, ?Outside of the 127 points scored in Game 2, Houston?s offense has been stifled in this series and getting held to 25 points in the second-half of Game 6 was incredible. I?d put Boston at the top, but Golden State is right behind them with its team defense and I can?t imagine the unit not stepping up again on Monday. The Warriors have held opponents under triple digits eight times in the playoffs, four times against Houston. The lack of depth for the Rockets is showing and a lean to their team total ?under? 101 is the better look than the game ?under? since Golden State has more offensive ability to light up the scoreboard.?
Including this series, Houston and Golden State have seen the ?under? go 13-5 in their last 18 meetings and Monday?s total will be the lowest number posted since a 2015 regular season matchup when the total was 211. For what it?s worth, the Rockets are 12-3 to the ?under? in their last 15 games when listed as a home underdog.
The last home team to be listed as an underdog in a Game 7 is the Rockets, who knocked off the Clippers in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals, 113-110 as 2 ?-point ?dogs. However, Houston was riding solid momentum heading into that decisive contest as the Rockets trailed, 3-1 before winning three consecutive games to advance to the conference finals (where they eventually lost to the Warriors).
Golden State has not been pushed to the limit in a Game 7 since the 2016 playoffs. Steve Kerr?s squad erased a 3-1 series deficit to shock the Thunder in the conference finals, but squandered a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers, as both Game 7?s were played at Oracle Arena. The last time the Warriors played a Game 7 away from the Bay Area came in the 2014 first round against the Clippers as Golden State lost, 126-121.
May 27, 2018
Western Conference Finals ? Game 7
Golden State at Houston (TNT, 9:00 p.m. ET)
Not even a 17-point hole in an elimination game fazes the defending champion Warriors. Golden State had its backs against the wall at home against Houston in Game 6, but put together an incredible second half run to even up the Western Conference Finals at 3-3 with a trip back to Houston for a shot at a fourth consecutive NBA Finals trip.
The Rockets stepped up to the challenge in Game 6 early on with point guard Chris Paul sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Houston built a 39-22 advantage after one quarter, but no deficit is too insurmountable for Golden State, who eventually trimmed the Rockets? lead to 10 points at halftime. The Warriors did their usual thing after halftime by outscoring the Rockets in the third quarter, 33-16, followed by a 31-9 whitewashing of Houston in the fourth quarter.
In the end, Golden State crushed Houston, 115-86 to easily cash as 12 ?-point favorites, led by a 64-point effort from the ?Splash Brothers? combination of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. Thompson drilled nine three-pointers, while Curry posted a 29-point performance to give the Warriors their first cover in four chances this postseason in the role of a double-digit favorite.
James Harden carried the load for Houston by scoring 32 points and hitting four three-pointers after failing to knock down a trey in Game 5. Eric Gordon started hot for Houston, but couldn?t carry it into the second half as he finished with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Rockets scratched together only 25 points in the second half, while suffering their third double-digit loss to the Warriors in this series.
The Warriors return to the Toyota Center dropping two consecutive visits after capturing the series opener, 119-106. Houston?s two home wins came off losses, which will be the case in Game 7 once again. The Rockets are riding an 11-game winning streak following a loss dating back to January 8, including a 4-0 record in the playoffs. In those four victories in the postseason, Houston has won by margins of 19, 21, 22, and 3, as the 22-point win in Game 2 against Golden State was the only one in this span that came at home.
Now the question is whether or not Paul will suit up and play in Game 7 for the Rockets. Paul is listed as a game-time decision for the series finale and his presence is paramount for Houston to have a chance at advancing to its first NBA Finals since 1995.
Chris David of VegasInsider.com felt the opener for Game 7 was high but he believes that bettors shouldn?t overthink this matchup.
He explained, ?Seeing Houston listed as this high of a ?dog makes you believe that the books expect Paul to sit out or at the very least be limited on Monday. From a betting perspective, I wouldn?t be afraid to lay the healthy number with Golden State especially if you believe it will win the game. Since the Warriors started their championship run in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, they?ve been listed as road favorites 28 times. The club has gone 17-11 SU and 16-12 ATS which tells you that they?ve covered all but one of their victories. The bottom line is when Golden State wins, it covers.?
Since the 2014-15 regular season, Houston has only been listed as a home underdog 15 times and they?ve gone 8-7 in those games. In the seven losses, six of them came by double digits. Seven of the matchups came against Golden State.
David offered his opinion for bettors leaning to Houston on Monday.
?Many years ago I was told that you should never bet an underdog with the points unless you believe they can win the game straight up. I get frustrated when I see handicappers and so-called pundits begin their analysis with ?I don?t think the team will win but they can stay within the number.? Where?s the confidence in your selection? Knowing the fact that point-spread hasn?t mattered much on the Warriors as road favorite in the playoffs and Houston hasn?t dropped back-to-back games in the second-half of the season, I would lean to the money-line value on Houston (+220) instead of taking the points,? he said.
The total for Game 7 opened at 210 and has moved to 209 as of Sunday evening.
David weighed on the number. He said, ?Outside of the 127 points scored in Game 2, Houston?s offense has been stifled in this series and getting held to 25 points in the second-half of Game 6 was incredible. I?d put Boston at the top, but Golden State is right behind them with its team defense and I can?t imagine the unit not stepping up again on Monday. The Warriors have held opponents under triple digits eight times in the playoffs, four times against Houston. The lack of depth for the Rockets is showing and a lean to their team total ?under? 101 is the better look than the game ?under? since Golden State has more offensive ability to light up the scoreboard.?
Including this series, Houston and Golden State have seen the ?under? go 13-5 in their last 18 meetings and Monday?s total will be the lowest number posted since a 2015 regular season matchup when the total was 211. For what it?s worth, the Rockets are 12-3 to the ?under? in their last 15 games when listed as a home underdog.
The last home team to be listed as an underdog in a Game 7 is the Rockets, who knocked off the Clippers in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals, 113-110 as 2 ?-point ?dogs. However, Houston was riding solid momentum heading into that decisive contest as the Rockets trailed, 3-1 before winning three consecutive games to advance to the conference finals (where they eventually lost to the Warriors).
Golden State has not been pushed to the limit in a Game 7 since the 2016 playoffs. Steve Kerr?s squad erased a 3-1 series deficit to shock the Thunder in the conference finals, but squandered a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers, as both Game 7?s were played at Oracle Arena. The last time the Warriors played a Game 7 away from the Bay Area came in the 2014 first round against the Clippers as Golden State lost, 126-121.
Warriors, Rockets set for Game 7
May 27, 2018
HOUSTON (AP) When the Golden State Warriors lost Game 5 of the Western Conference finals to the Rockets on Thursday night to send them to the brink of elimination they vowed to be back in Houston for Game 7.
After a resounding win in Game 6 that's exactly where the defending champions are, preparing for a winner-take-all game Monday night for a spot in the NBA Finals.
''It's going to be fun,'' Stephen Curry said. ''It's what you play for, to be in a situation where you're one win away from going to the finals. Pressure both ways because of how big the moment is, and you've got to want it.''
The Warriors trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half Saturday night before using a splendid second half to roll to a 115-86 victory. Curry knows that if the Warriors hope to return to the finals for the fourth straight year they'll have to get off to a better start in Game 7.
''I guarantee if we start the game out like we did (Saturday) and they jump out to the lead, it's going to be 10 times harder to make it a game,'' Curry said. ''So for us that's our challenge to have the same mentality we had for the last 36 minutes of (Game 6) and bring that from the jump in Game 7.''
Kevin Durant is excited about helping the Warriors return to the finals, but he got a little confused on when Game 7 was on Saturday night.
''I can't wait `til Tuesday,'' Durant said.
Curry quickly jumped in to correct his teammate.
''Monday,'' he said. ''Please don't miss a game.''
The Rockets aren't dwelling on their missed opportunity to close out the series as they get ready for Monday's game where they'll try to punch their ticket to finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1995-95.
They might have to do it without star Chris Paul, who is dealing with a strained right hamstring that kept him out of Game 6. Coach Mike D'Antoni said Sunday that he's continuing to receive treatment and his status for Game 7 will likely be a game-time decision.
James Harden, who had 22 points in the first half on Saturday night but just 10 the rest of the way, insists that the Rockets remain confident despite the blowout loss and are up to Monday's challenge.
''There's no pressure. It's an opportunity, an opportunity that we all are excited to be a part of,'' he said. ''Game 7 at our house, that's what we've worked the entire regular season for (is) to get home-court advantage. So we're going to come out and be ready.''
The Rockets tied the Raptors for best home record in the NBA during the regular season by going 34-7. They're 7-2 in Houston this postseason with one of their losses coming in Game 1 of this series.
After 10,000 people paid $10 each to watch Saturday night's game at the Toyota Center in what was a fundraiser for victims of the Santa Fe school shooting, Harden has no doubt that the home fans will be ready to help them out in Game 7.
''They're going to bring it,'' he said. ''We've got a whole city behind us, and they're as loyal as they come.''
Golden State coach Steve Kerr is trying to figure out why his team has struggled to put together complete games in this series, but is proud that the Warriors have found ways to win despite their up and down play.
''Our guys have a ton of character and a ton of competitiveness, desire,'' he said. ''They're champions. So our guys compete. That's the main thing. They may not always focus, but they compete.''
The Warriors are also dealing with injuries as Kerr said Andre Iguodala, who has missed the last two games with a bruised left leg, is doubtful for Monday's game.
Kevon Looney has filled in for him the last two games but is also listed as questionable for Game 7 with sore toe on his left foot. However Kerr said Looney is fine and will play in Game 7.
---
May 27, 2018
HOUSTON (AP) When the Golden State Warriors lost Game 5 of the Western Conference finals to the Rockets on Thursday night to send them to the brink of elimination they vowed to be back in Houston for Game 7.
After a resounding win in Game 6 that's exactly where the defending champions are, preparing for a winner-take-all game Monday night for a spot in the NBA Finals.
''It's going to be fun,'' Stephen Curry said. ''It's what you play for, to be in a situation where you're one win away from going to the finals. Pressure both ways because of how big the moment is, and you've got to want it.''
The Warriors trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half Saturday night before using a splendid second half to roll to a 115-86 victory. Curry knows that if the Warriors hope to return to the finals for the fourth straight year they'll have to get off to a better start in Game 7.
''I guarantee if we start the game out like we did (Saturday) and they jump out to the lead, it's going to be 10 times harder to make it a game,'' Curry said. ''So for us that's our challenge to have the same mentality we had for the last 36 minutes of (Game 6) and bring that from the jump in Game 7.''
Kevin Durant is excited about helping the Warriors return to the finals, but he got a little confused on when Game 7 was on Saturday night.
''I can't wait `til Tuesday,'' Durant said.
Curry quickly jumped in to correct his teammate.
''Monday,'' he said. ''Please don't miss a game.''
The Rockets aren't dwelling on their missed opportunity to close out the series as they get ready for Monday's game where they'll try to punch their ticket to finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1995-95.
They might have to do it without star Chris Paul, who is dealing with a strained right hamstring that kept him out of Game 6. Coach Mike D'Antoni said Sunday that he's continuing to receive treatment and his status for Game 7 will likely be a game-time decision.
James Harden, who had 22 points in the first half on Saturday night but just 10 the rest of the way, insists that the Rockets remain confident despite the blowout loss and are up to Monday's challenge.
''There's no pressure. It's an opportunity, an opportunity that we all are excited to be a part of,'' he said. ''Game 7 at our house, that's what we've worked the entire regular season for (is) to get home-court advantage. So we're going to come out and be ready.''
The Rockets tied the Raptors for best home record in the NBA during the regular season by going 34-7. They're 7-2 in Houston this postseason with one of their losses coming in Game 1 of this series.
After 10,000 people paid $10 each to watch Saturday night's game at the Toyota Center in what was a fundraiser for victims of the Santa Fe school shooting, Harden has no doubt that the home fans will be ready to help them out in Game 7.
''They're going to bring it,'' he said. ''We've got a whole city behind us, and they're as loyal as they come.''
Golden State coach Steve Kerr is trying to figure out why his team has struggled to put together complete games in this series, but is proud that the Warriors have found ways to win despite their up and down play.
''Our guys have a ton of character and a ton of competitiveness, desire,'' he said. ''They're champions. So our guys compete. That's the main thing. They may not always focus, but they compete.''
The Warriors are also dealing with injuries as Kerr said Andre Iguodala, who has missed the last two games with a bruised left leg, is doubtful for Monday's game.
Kevon Looney has filled in for him the last two games but is also listed as questionable for Game 7 with sore toe on his left foot. However Kerr said Looney is fine and will play in Game 7.
---
Rockets' Paul receiving regular treatment
May 26, 2018
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Rockets star Chris Paul is receiving treatment ''around the clock'' on his injured right hamstring and coach Mike D'Antoni hopes it will only be a matter of days before he is healthy enough to play again.
The timeline remained unclear whether Paul might be fine to play a possible Game 7 if the Rockets lost Saturday night's Game 6 and had to return to Houston to face the Golden State Warriors again Monday night. Eric Gordon started in Paul's place Saturday at Oracle Arena.
''I think he'll play as soon as he can,'' D'Antoni said before the game Saturday. ''It's just not a question of trying to outsmart. He's going to play. As soon as he's able to walk and run, he'll do it. There was no shot at it today.''
Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was out for a third straight game this series after he sustained a bone bruise in his left knee during Game 3. Coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala continues to have pain when running, so he's still listed as day to day.
''It's a bone bruise, and those are hard to predict,'' Kerr said. ''Until he's able to really run without pain, then he can't play.''
Paul's presence at Oracle Arena still meant plenty.
''He's devastated. He has to be. We're all devastated for him. At the same time, we'll rally and do what's right,'' D'Antoni said. ''He's so integral in what we do and the spirit of the team. And him being here is a big deal, and him being on the bench is a big deal. He'll will us through, if he can.''
Kerr felt terribly for Paul - and others who have gone down.
''More than anything, I feel bad for Chris. The guy is a phenomenal player and competitor, and pretty much willed his team the last two games. He's just been haunted by these types of injuries in his career, and it's a shame,'' Kerr said.
''I hate when anybody gets hurt. I hate when Andre got hurt. I hate to see Kevin Love last night, Kyrie (Irving). These guys train so hard and they're here and they're competing, and you want everybody to be healthy, but just the reality is it usually doesn't work out that way. So you've just got to keep playing with whoever's there and keep going.''
Second-year Golden State guard Patrick McCaw, who had been out since a scary back injury at Sacramento on March 31 when undercut by Vince Carter, was available to play after earlier being upgraded to questionable. He wasn't expected to contribute key minutes given the injury and time missed.
''It would be a tough spot to put him in, in the meat of the game, with not having played for a long time. But at this point, it's all hands on deck, obviously,'' Kerr said. ''You never know how the game's going to play out. I had teammates who literally played one play in a playoff game and made a play and helped us win a game. So you just never know.''
May 26, 2018
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Rockets star Chris Paul is receiving treatment ''around the clock'' on his injured right hamstring and coach Mike D'Antoni hopes it will only be a matter of days before he is healthy enough to play again.
The timeline remained unclear whether Paul might be fine to play a possible Game 7 if the Rockets lost Saturday night's Game 6 and had to return to Houston to face the Golden State Warriors again Monday night. Eric Gordon started in Paul's place Saturday at Oracle Arena.
''I think he'll play as soon as he can,'' D'Antoni said before the game Saturday. ''It's just not a question of trying to outsmart. He's going to play. As soon as he's able to walk and run, he'll do it. There was no shot at it today.''
Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was out for a third straight game this series after he sustained a bone bruise in his left knee during Game 3. Coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala continues to have pain when running, so he's still listed as day to day.
''It's a bone bruise, and those are hard to predict,'' Kerr said. ''Until he's able to really run without pain, then he can't play.''
Paul's presence at Oracle Arena still meant plenty.
''He's devastated. He has to be. We're all devastated for him. At the same time, we'll rally and do what's right,'' D'Antoni said. ''He's so integral in what we do and the spirit of the team. And him being here is a big deal, and him being on the bench is a big deal. He'll will us through, if he can.''
Kerr felt terribly for Paul - and others who have gone down.
''More than anything, I feel bad for Chris. The guy is a phenomenal player and competitor, and pretty much willed his team the last two games. He's just been haunted by these types of injuries in his career, and it's a shame,'' Kerr said.
''I hate when anybody gets hurt. I hate when Andre got hurt. I hate to see Kevin Love last night, Kyrie (Irving). These guys train so hard and they're here and they're competing, and you want everybody to be healthy, but just the reality is it usually doesn't work out that way. So you've just got to keep playing with whoever's there and keep going.''
Second-year Golden State guard Patrick McCaw, who had been out since a scary back injury at Sacramento on March 31 when undercut by Vince Carter, was available to play after earlier being upgraded to questionable. He wasn't expected to contribute key minutes given the injury and time missed.
''It would be a tough spot to put him in, in the meat of the game, with not having played for a long time. But at this point, it's all hands on deck, obviously,'' Kerr said. ''You never know how the game's going to play out. I had teammates who literally played one play in a playoff game and made a play and helped us win a game. So you just never know.''
NBA Playoffs - Game 7 Facts
May 27, 2018
Game 7 Quick Facts
-- The NBA has had 130 Game 7?s in playoff history
-- The home team is 104-26 (80%) in those games
-- The 2018 NBA playoffs has had two Game 7's and the home teams own a perfect 2-0 record.
Eastern Conference First Round - Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Eastern Conference First Round - Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
-- The 2017 NBA playoffs only had two Game 7's and the results were split with the Jazz capturing a rare road victory.
Western Conference First Round - Utah 104 at L.A. Clippers 91
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Boston 115 vs. Washington 105
-- The 2016 NBA playoffs had five Game 7's played and the home team won four games (3-2 ATS), two of the victories coming by double digits.
Eastern Conference First Round - Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 73
Eastern Conference First Round - Toronto 89 vs. Indiana 84
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Toronto 116 vs. Miami 89
Western Conference Finals - Golden State 96 vs. Oklahoma City 88
NBA Finals - Cleveland 93 at Golden State 89
-- The 2015 postseason featured two Game 7's. The home team went 2-0 with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets capturing victories.
-- The 2014 postseason featured five Game 7's. The home team went 4-1 in those games and the lone visitor to win was Brooklyn, who defeated Toronto 104-103 in overtime.
Golden State Game 7 Recent History
The Warriors have played in nine Game 7's in franchise history. They've gone 4-5 in those contests, as their last appearance in a Game 7 came in the 2016 NBA Finals, a four-point loss to the Cavaliers.
2016 NBA Finals
Golden State 89 vs. Cleveland 93
Houston Game 7 Recent History
The Rockets have appeared in 10 Game 7's in franchise history. They've posted a 6-4 record, but have dropped three of their last four Game 7's dating back to 2005.
2015 Western Conference Second Round
Houston 113 vs. L.A. Clippers 100
ALL-TIME GAME 7 ROAD WINNERS
Year Road Team Home Team Round
2017 Utah 104 L.A. Clippers 91 First round
2016 Cleveland 93 Golden State 89 NBA Finals
2014 Brooklyn 104 Toronto 103 First round
2013 Chicago 99 Brooklyn 93 First round
2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round
2009 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals
2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals
2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round
2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals
2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals
2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round
2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals
2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals
1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals
1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals
1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals
1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals
1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals
1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals
1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals
1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals
1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals
1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals
1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals
1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals
1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals
(*) Asterisk denotes overtime
May 27, 2018
Game 7 Quick Facts
-- The NBA has had 130 Game 7?s in playoff history
-- The home team is 104-26 (80%) in those games
-- The 2018 NBA playoffs has had two Game 7's and the home teams own a perfect 2-0 record.
Eastern Conference First Round - Cleveland 105 vs. Indiana 101
Eastern Conference First Round - Boston 112 vs. Milwaukee 96
-- The 2017 NBA playoffs only had two Game 7's and the results were split with the Jazz capturing a rare road victory.
Western Conference First Round - Utah 104 at L.A. Clippers 91
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Boston 115 vs. Washington 105
-- The 2016 NBA playoffs had five Game 7's played and the home team won four games (3-2 ATS), two of the victories coming by double digits.
Eastern Conference First Round - Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 73
Eastern Conference First Round - Toronto 89 vs. Indiana 84
Eastern Conference Semifinals - Toronto 116 vs. Miami 89
Western Conference Finals - Golden State 96 vs. Oklahoma City 88
NBA Finals - Cleveland 93 at Golden State 89
-- The 2015 postseason featured two Game 7's. The home team went 2-0 with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets capturing victories.
-- The 2014 postseason featured five Game 7's. The home team went 4-1 in those games and the lone visitor to win was Brooklyn, who defeated Toronto 104-103 in overtime.
Golden State Game 7 Recent History
The Warriors have played in nine Game 7's in franchise history. They've gone 4-5 in those contests, as their last appearance in a Game 7 came in the 2016 NBA Finals, a four-point loss to the Cavaliers.
2016 NBA Finals
Golden State 89 vs. Cleveland 93
Houston Game 7 Recent History
The Rockets have appeared in 10 Game 7's in franchise history. They've posted a 6-4 record, but have dropped three of their last four Game 7's dating back to 2005.
2015 Western Conference Second Round
Houston 113 vs. L.A. Clippers 100
ALL-TIME GAME 7 ROAD WINNERS
Year Road Team Home Team Round
2017 Utah 104 L.A. Clippers 91 First round
2016 Cleveland 93 Golden State 89 NBA Finals
2014 Brooklyn 104 Toronto 103 First round
2013 Chicago 99 Brooklyn 93 First round
2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round
2009 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals
2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals
2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round
2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals
2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals
2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round
2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals
2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals
1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals
1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals
1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals
1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals
1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals
1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals
1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals
1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals
1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals
1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals
1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals
1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals
1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals
(*) Asterisk denotes overtime
Monday?s game
Golden State @ Houston (3-3)
Golden State outscored Houston 93-47 over last three quarters, 64-25 in second half of Game 6; if Chris Paul can?t play, unless he pulls a Willis Reed, Rockets won?t win. Tucker/Ariza shot combined 8-24 in Game 6- they?ll need lot more from them here. Under is 5-1 in this series, 9-3 in both conference finals. Under is 12-4 in last 16 Warrior-Rocket games. Houston took 17 FT?s in Game 6; Durant took 14 by himself. Iguodala hasn?t played in last three games. Warriors? three series wins are by 13-41-29 points; their losses by 22-3-4 points.
Golden State @ Houston (3-3)
Golden State outscored Houston 93-47 over last three quarters, 64-25 in second half of Game 6; if Chris Paul can?t play, unless he pulls a Willis Reed, Rockets won?t win. Tucker/Ariza shot combined 8-24 in Game 6- they?ll need lot more from them here. Under is 5-1 in this series, 9-3 in both conference finals. Under is 12-4 in last 16 Warrior-Rocket games. Houston took 17 FT?s in Game 6; Durant took 14 by himself. Iguodala hasn?t played in last three games. Warriors? three series wins are by 13-41-29 points; their losses by 22-3-4 points.
NBA Western Conference Final Game 7 betting preview and odds: Warriors at Rockets
For only the second-time in the NBA playoffs since 1990 there will be a home underdog in Game 7 of a series.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (+6, 209)
Series tied 3-3.
The Golden State Warriors found the form that made them NBA champions in the second half Saturday and used it to run away with a win and force a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals. The Warriors will try to carry that momentum on the road and earn their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals when they visit the Houston Rockets Monday.
The Rockets jumped out to a 39-22 lead after the first quarter in Game 6 and held a 61-51 edge at the break only to score 25 points in the second half and suffer a 115-86 setback as Golden State exploded behind Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. "We'd like to get off to a better start," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "But we like -- we like our formula. We like our defense against these guys, and we feel confident that we can carry this through to Game 7 on the road and continue to make things as difficult as possible on Houston without fouling." Houston is confident heading home despite the beating it took in the second half on Saturday and the uncertainty surrounding the health of point guard Chris Paul. "If you asked us when we were in the Bahamas this summer, this team together, you know, Western Conference Finals, Game 7 to go to the finals against the Warriors, we'll take that," Rockets star James Harden told reporters. "So, nothing changes for us. We know what we have to do."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 5-point road favorites for Game 7 and as of Sunday night that number is up to 6. The total hit betting boards at 210 and is down slightly to 209.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "For only the second-time in the NBA playoffs since 1990 there will be a home underdog in Game 7 of a series. It?s what happens when you take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors sans the services of injured All Star PG Chris Paul. Nonetheless, look for defense to prevail in another exciting Game 7 showdown." - Marc Lawrence.
INJURY REPORT:
Warriors - SF A. Iguodala (Questionable, Leg), SF C. Boucher (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).
Rockets - PG C. Paul (Questionable, Hamstring).
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (69-29 SU, 42-55-1 ATS, 44-53-1 O/U): Thompson finished with 35 points and went 9-of-14 from 3-point range in Game 6 as Golden State started to push the pace and move the ball. "I feel like we're the best team in the world and most fun team in the world to watch when we're pushing that ball, getting defensive stops and making plays," Thompson told reporters. "We've got too much talent not just to hit singles like coach always says. Trust the next man ahead of us. It will end up working in our favor most of the time." Thompson added four steals to his performance and his teammates credited his work on Harden at the defensive end for sparking the offense.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (76-22 SU, 50-47-1 ATS, 39-58-1 O/U): Paul sat out Game 6 with a hamstring injury suffered in the final minute of Game 5 and remains uncertain for Game 7. Houston committed 21 turnovers without their point guard on the floor in Game 6, including nine by Harden, who finished with 32 points and nine assists but continued a trend of poor shooting from beyond the arc with a 4-of-12 effort. "There's no pressure," Harden told reporters of Game 7. "It's an opportunity, though, an opportunity that we all are excited to be a part of. Game 7 at our house. That's what we worked the entire regular season for, is homecourt advantage. We're going to come out and we're going to be ready."
TRENDS:
* Warriors are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win.
* Rockets are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 5-1 in Warriors' last 6 road games.
* Under is 16-5 in Rockets' last 21 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
CONSENSUS:
57 percent of pointspread bets are on the Houston Rockets while 66 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.
For only the second-time in the NBA playoffs since 1990 there will be a home underdog in Game 7 of a series.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (+6, 209)
Series tied 3-3.
The Golden State Warriors found the form that made them NBA champions in the second half Saturday and used it to run away with a win and force a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals. The Warriors will try to carry that momentum on the road and earn their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals when they visit the Houston Rockets Monday.
The Rockets jumped out to a 39-22 lead after the first quarter in Game 6 and held a 61-51 edge at the break only to score 25 points in the second half and suffer a 115-86 setback as Golden State exploded behind Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. "We'd like to get off to a better start," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "But we like -- we like our formula. We like our defense against these guys, and we feel confident that we can carry this through to Game 7 on the road and continue to make things as difficult as possible on Houston without fouling." Houston is confident heading home despite the beating it took in the second half on Saturday and the uncertainty surrounding the health of point guard Chris Paul. "If you asked us when we were in the Bahamas this summer, this team together, you know, Western Conference Finals, Game 7 to go to the finals against the Warriors, we'll take that," Rockets star James Harden told reporters. "So, nothing changes for us. We know what we have to do."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 5-point road favorites for Game 7 and as of Sunday night that number is up to 6. The total hit betting boards at 210 and is down slightly to 209.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "For only the second-time in the NBA playoffs since 1990 there will be a home underdog in Game 7 of a series. It?s what happens when you take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors sans the services of injured All Star PG Chris Paul. Nonetheless, look for defense to prevail in another exciting Game 7 showdown." - Marc Lawrence.
INJURY REPORT:
Warriors - SF A. Iguodala (Questionable, Leg), SF C. Boucher (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).
Rockets - PG C. Paul (Questionable, Hamstring).
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (69-29 SU, 42-55-1 ATS, 44-53-1 O/U): Thompson finished with 35 points and went 9-of-14 from 3-point range in Game 6 as Golden State started to push the pace and move the ball. "I feel like we're the best team in the world and most fun team in the world to watch when we're pushing that ball, getting defensive stops and making plays," Thompson told reporters. "We've got too much talent not just to hit singles like coach always says. Trust the next man ahead of us. It will end up working in our favor most of the time." Thompson added four steals to his performance and his teammates credited his work on Harden at the defensive end for sparking the offense.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (76-22 SU, 50-47-1 ATS, 39-58-1 O/U): Paul sat out Game 6 with a hamstring injury suffered in the final minute of Game 5 and remains uncertain for Game 7. Houston committed 21 turnovers without their point guard on the floor in Game 6, including nine by Harden, who finished with 32 points and nine assists but continued a trend of poor shooting from beyond the arc with a 4-of-12 effort. "There's no pressure," Harden told reporters of Game 7. "It's an opportunity, though, an opportunity that we all are excited to be a part of. Game 7 at our house. That's what we worked the entire regular season for, is homecourt advantage. We're going to come out and we're going to be ready."
TRENDS:
* Warriors are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win.
* Rockets are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 5-1 in Warriors' last 6 road games.
* Under is 16-5 in Rockets' last 21 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
CONSENSUS:
57 percent of pointspread bets are on the Houston Rockets while 66 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.
