- The Golden State Warriors are narrow 1-point favorites against the Sacramento Kings despite their road struggles this season.
- The Milwaukee Bucks are 9-point favorites against the Miami Heat after giving up 137 points in their Game 1 loss.
- The Denver Nuggets remain heavy-favorites at -8.5 after their 29-point victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Oddsmakers are favoring the Warriors to bounce back in Game 2 after dropping the first game of the series in Sacramento. With 84% of the public bet on the Warriors spread and 90% on Warriors money line, why are the people fading the Kings?
Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors (-1)
Golden State’s odds on online gambling sites have been influenced by the public, with their money line currently sitting at -130 after opening at -105.
The Warriors (-1) favoritism for Game 2 is a result of their success in similar situations historically.
Game 2 Warriors
During the Steve Kerr era, the Golden State Warriors are 3-0 in Game 2 after losing the opening game of a series. In four playoff series last year, Steph Curry averaged a 7-point scoring increase from Game 1 to Game 2.
The trio of Wiggins, Curry, and Thompson shot a combined 12/36 from behind the arc in Game 1. With Jordan Poole listed as doubtful, newly returned Andrew Wiggins and the splash brothers will figure to be more effective from deep in Game 2 and cash their -130 money line odds.
The Kings zeroed in defensively on Steph Curry and allowed Klay Thompson to take the shots in their 126-123 victory on Saturday night. Klay assured bettors in a post-game interview that the shots “will go down at a higher rate on Monday”.
The Warriors were in control of Game 1 before De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk displayed their fourth quarter heroics, combining for 70 points. The repeat of a bad Warriors shooting night and another historic Monk and Fox scoring night is unlikely, resulting in the public leaning towards Golden State in Game 2 as 1-point favorites.
Milwaukee Bucks (-9) vs Miami Heat
The Miami Heat had their best shooting performance of the season, going 51.7% from the floor and an even 50% from 3-point range. This incredible shooting performance is unlikely to repeat itself, as the Heat shot 33% and 32% from behind the arc in their two NBA Play-In games.
Even after a 13-point loss, the Milwaukee Bucks remain heavy favorites over the Heat at -9 with Giannis Antetokounmpo scheduled to return for Game 2. The MVP candidate only played 11 minutes before suffering a lower back contusion.
Although the Bucks are optimistic he will return, his absence in Game 2 would have a massive impact on their 9-point spread. The Bucks were 11-8 in games this season with Giannis out and 47-16 when he played.
Denver Nuggets (-8.5) vs Minnesota Timberwolves
The Denver Nuggets cruised to a 109-80 victory in Game 1, leading them to be 8.5-point favorites over the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 2.
The Nuggets outmatched the Wolves in nearly every aspect of the sport, showcasing their dominance in a 32-14 third quarter rout. Rudy Gobert was visibly in pain with his back injury and the Timberwolves shot a poor 30% from three-point range.
Despite the Wolves doing a good job of limiting 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic to 13 points, the Nuggets were able to cruise to victory on 41% shooting from three-point range.
The Denver Nuggets dominated the Timberwolves physically and are in a great position to cover their 8.5-point spread on NBA sportsbooks again on Wednesday night.