- NBA Finals Game 1 odds: Raptors -1.5 | Over/Under 213 | Moneyline -124/+104 at BookMaker.eu
- Game 1 tip off: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 30th, 2019 and nationally televised on ABC.
The NBA Finals will begin on Thursday, and already, it’s feeling like close to a must-win for the Toronto Raptors. The Eastern Conference champions are at home in this one and face off with a short-handed Golden State Warriors squad.
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The Warriors are sizable favorites to capture this series and claim a third straight NBA title, and it seems essential for the Raptors to get off to a hot start in order to have a chance to win the championship. The oddsmakers are pegging this game as a virtual toss-up and the team that makes more plays down the stretch will likely be the one that emerges victorious.
NBA Finals – Warriors vs Raptors | Game 1 Odds
The Raptors are listed as the 1.5 point favorites to win the first game of the series, and more of the action is coming in on them as the vig is up to -113 at this spread. Toronto is listed at -124 on the moneyline while the Warriors come in at +104. The scoring total is listed at 213 points, a number which has decreased as the week has gone along.
Golden State is the -285 favorite to win this series and claim another title, while the Raptors come in as the +234 underdogs.
Related – NBA Finals – Warriors vs Raptors Odds and Predictions
Injury Report
Golden State superstar forward Kevin Durant traveled to Toronto for the first two games of the NBA Finals but has been ruled out of the opener. He has not played since suffering a calf strain against the Rockets in the second game of the postseason. The Warriors would love him back but have been just fine without him, going 5-0 since the injury. Golden State is coming off a sweep of the Blazers in which Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green led the way. Durant’s presence means it’s possible he could play in Game 2, so keep an eye on that status.
Kevin Durant is officially out for Game 1 of the Finals. pic.twitter.com/I9gBBmIyz5
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) May 27, 2019
Golden State center DeMarcus Cousins has not played since the first round against the Clippers because of a quadriceps injury but is listed as questionable for Game 1. He likely wouldn’t play heavy minutes but getting a player as talented as him back in the fold would be a big development.
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#NBA Basketball Odds – Golden State #Warriors vs. Toronto #Raptors NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: https://t.co/2cq0kYbShQ
— Official Bookmaker (@bookmaker_eu) May 29, 2019
Player To Watch – Kyle Lowry
The Raptors have a bona fide superstar leading the way in Kawhi Leonard, and he will likely average around 30 points per game in this series as well as play his trademark tough defense. The key for Toronto will be getting strong performances from its supporting cast.
Players like Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam will be important, but there is no one with a bigger load on his shoulders than Lowry. When the Toronto point guard is playing well, the team can match up with anyone. However, he has disappeared at times in the playoffs and needs to excel in the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
NBA Finals – Warriors vs Raptors | Game 1 Picks
Our staff pick: Raptors -1.5 and UNDER 213
This is not a great matchup for Golden State without Durant. If Leonard and Lowry can reasonably keep Curry and Thompson in check, the Warriors won’t have a ton of other offensive options. The Raptors are going to make this a closer series than many expect, kickstarted by a Game 1 victory at home in which they cover the spread.
The “under” is going to be in play in this one as the defense on both sides should be excellent.
Check out the latest NBA Finals betting odds for Game 1 and the Series.
