Warriors and Raptors can demonstrate Championship credentials
A match-up between last season’s finalists should be a hard fought and high quality affair, but Golden State Warriors’ trip to Cleveland Cavaliers could well be incredibly one-sided.
Warriors too hot for Cavs (November 6th, 00.00am)
Golden State struggled for form during Steph Curry’s injury absence, but their talisman is now back and they can kick on from here.
GSW (1.93 with -12 on the spread) did suffer a surprise loss at Detroit Pistons but responded with a big win over Atlanta Hawks and should have far too much quality for the struggling Cavs and are as short as 1.09 to claim victory.
Cleveland (6.45 to beat the defending champions) were always going to find it hard to cope after LeBron James departed for Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Love’s continued absence through injury has amplified their issues.
The Cavs are 5-18 going into this match-up and with Love still missing may slip to a heavy defeat to the 1.57 Championship favourites.
Raptors can build on lead in the East (November 6th, 1.00am)
James’ move to a Western Conference team meant that Boston were rated as the favourites in the East before the season began, but the Celtics have endured a tough start and are now 3.00 to win the Conference.
Toronto are the 2.75 favourites, 9.00 to win the Championship, and the Raptors can down one of their main Eastern rivals in Phaildelphia 76ers at the Scotiabank Arena this week.
The Raptors (1.38 in the Moneyline) went down to Denver Nuggets in their last home outing, but that was just their third loss in Toronto all season.
The Sixers go into this heavyweight contest seeking to extend a four-game winning run and should provide their hosts with a test, although ultimately they are likely to come up short.
Philly (2.90 to win) are 4-7 on the road and if they want to back up their Championship credentials they need to find some form away but Toronto is a tough hunting ground and they may well come away with nothing.
Improving Lakers can demolish Spurs (Nov 6th, 3.00am)
The Lakers entertain San Antonio Spurs and can continue their impressive home form with a comfortable victory (Spurs 3.80 Lakers 1.24).
James’ team have managed three straight wins at the Staples Center and have nine wins in their last 11 home outings.
The arrival of the three-time champion in LA had seen them rated by some as Championship contenders before the campaign began but so far it is hard to see them coming through a tough Western Conference to reach the NBA Finals series.
That said, they are definitely improving and if they can keep going on this upward trajectory the Lakers may be a much stronger prospect by the time the postseason comes around.
The Lakers, who are21.00 to win the Championship, take on a San Antonio side who go into the clash on the back of a tough game at Utah Jazz and should be able to continue their fine home form with a win.
The Spurs lost key a number of key men during the offseason, with Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker moving on, and seem set for a season of struggle.
San Antonio have a losing record on the road and are unlikely to improve on that in Los Angeles – LeBron is 1.83 to score over 27.5 points on the night.
Portland to punish Suns (Nov 7th, 3.00am)
Portland Trail Blazers deservedly finished as the third seeds in the Western Conference last season and can enjoy another successful campaign, despite their recent dip in form.
The Blazers have been beaten by the likes of Denver, San Antonio and the LA Clippers recently but their home form remains solid ahead of the midweek visit of Phoenix Suns and they should be able to come out on top fairly comfortably.
Portland are 5-2 in their last seven games at home and have picked up some impressive results during that run – having downed potential Championship contenders Boston and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Suns sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with the worst record in the NBA and on the road they have been particularly poor with just one win in 12 attempts.
Phoenix seem destined for a campaign to remember and 4.00 Northwest Division hopefuls Portland should be far too strong in this match-up.
