Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Understanding Public and Money
Expert Picks
The point spread has not been a deciding factor in the playoffs. Tonight look for that to change with Golden State in a must win situation on the road. What has been their downfall in this series is executing in tight games. They’ll perform better in crunch time with their season at stake. Grab the points with Golden State.
Anthony Davis is capable of monster games as we saw in the first game of this series, but we haven't seen one since. Yet, the total on his props hasn't shifted much, and I'm looking to take advantage of that tonight. After posting 53 points and rebounds in the first game, AD has averaged 31.5 in the four games since. The Warriors changing their starting lineup in an effort to drag Davis out of the lane and away from the basket has impacted his rebounding as well.
There's been plenty made about Klay Thompson struggling in this series, and he has. However, his struggles have revolved around shooting, but since this is the NBA, and he's Klay Thompson, when he's not scoring the narrative becomes "Klay's playing poorly." He's not. He's shooting poorly. He's still contributing in other ways. In the series he's averaged 6.6 rebounds and assists per game, and has gone over this total in four of the five games. That includes each of the last three when he hasn't been scoring.
The Lakers held serve at home in Games 3 and 4, but the Warriors gave a strong effort in Game 4. They returned home and blew the Lakers out in Game 5. It’s money-time and go-time for the Warriors stars, but the truth about the Warriors path on the road this season is where I’m looking at with the most weight held. The Warriors are 12-34 straight-up on the road this season. The Lakers have held serve as the favorite this season going 27-9 SU and they’re playing their absolute unselfish best right now. Lakers to win, money-line.
Rudy T said, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion!” The Lakers are in a must-win spot at home just like Philadelphia last night. How did that go for the 76ers? I thought the moment was too big for them as they really struggled in the fourth quarter to generate any offense. I trust the Warriors; that’s the difference in this game.
It doesn't matter whether it's the Crypto.com Arena or Staples Center era, the Warriors' stars have had some shooting slumps in this building. Downgrading Golden State's ability to light it up from deep and expecting Anthony Davis to play -- which is huge for LA's defense -- has me pointed to a late-series under.
We'll play this early on the chance Anthony Davis lands in concussion protocol after leaving Game 5 with a head injury -- recommend you check out a clip of "Inside the NBA" with both Shaq and Barkley losing it laughing because Davis left in a wheelchair after a slap to the face. The champs can win this game regardless and probably should have won Game 4 in LA. If Davis is out, and he officially cannot play if he is in concussion protocol today (I can already hear the anti-Lakers fans saying the league would never do that to its marquee franchise, and I tend to agree) they absolutely should win, so this is a value play. Also note that LeBron James tweaked his ankle in Game 5.