Action on this total seems to be fairly split. I don't see how anybody could feel comfortable with cash on the Under in this one. Both teams are reasonably rested, healthy, and present a myriad of ways to put the ball in the basket.
Golden State doesn't have to travel having just wrapped up their series with OKC at home, while Cleveland has had an extended break so I expect a high tempo to open this series. Fresh legs usually make for good lift on jump shots or drives to the hoop that can either result in layups or free throw opportunities.
What I don't quite understand is that the total in the WC Finals was consistently hovering around the 220 mark and yet this series opens at 210. I think this current matchup profiles for higher scoring outcomes than the WC Finals did simply because I don't think Cleveland defensively matches up with Goldy's scorers as well as OKC did, and I think Cleveland is a more balanced offensive team than OKC... yet here we are with a total that's 10 points less than Goldy's previous series! Are we getting a discount because so many of those games went Under?
As this series progresses I think we'll find that the screws begin to tighten, some adjustments are made, the sense of urgency heightens, and thus, the games' scores begin to shrink... but for an opener, I wouldn't be surprised if the tempo mirrors that of a regular season game and it's open season on the nets at Oracle Arena.
Let's get it!
Do the Mash... The Eddy Munny Mash!