2019 NBA Finals: Best bets for Warriors-Raptors Game 5

ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)


The 2019 NBA playoffs are nearing their conclusion, but there are still plenty of betting opportunities. Our experts -- Joe Fortenbaugh, Preston Johnson, Doug Kezirian and Jordan Schultz -- are here to give their best bets for every game of the NBA Finals. The Toronto Raptors lead the Golden State Warriors 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.


All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Monday's Game 5


Golden State Warriors (+105) at Toronto Raptors (-125)

Game 5 line: Raptors -1.5
Game 5 over/under: 214
Fortenbaugh: Had it not been for a scoreless 5-minute, 40-second stretch to commence the third quarter in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Raptors would have swept the dynastic defending champion Warriors right out of the postseason, and Monday night wouldn't even be necessary. That's how good this team truly is, yet, for some bizarre reason, it took consecutive road wins in Oakland, California, to alert most people to this fact.


The Raptors have outscored the Warriors by an average of 7.75 points per game this series, have six players who are averaging 10 or more points per game in the Finals -- which is extraordinarily rare -- and are set to eliminate a Golden State roster that is completely out of gas. Case in point: In Game 4, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 50-plus points in a game for the 212th time as teammates, but the Warriors finished with a grand total of just 92 points. In those aforementioned 212 contests, 92 points is tied for the lowest scoring output of any of those instances in which the Splash Brothers combined to post 50 or more.



Pick: Raptors -1.5


Kezirian: This is a tough call. Obviously Kevin Durant's potential return is dominating the coverage. How healthy is he? Will he even play? It's hard to go big without knowing more details, which has essentially been a common theme this entire series. Personally, I would wait for an in-game wager and look to play Toronto if Durant appears limited at all. I think Toronto can pull away. I would consider an alternate spread on Toronto for a small play, but I need more than +180 for Toronto -6.5.


Pick: Pass, wait for in-game wagering


Johnson: Kevin Durant remains questionable for Game 5, but the report Sunday that he might play has moved this spread from Raptors -3 to -1.5. The total jumped up a couple of points as well. Considering the impact Durant could potentially have on the game but also the market, I don't see any reason to get involved until we get confirmation on his status one way or the other.


Even if Durant is announced as starting in Game 5, how can we correctly assess his effectiveness to the extent it is worth betting? For me, this sets up to be a game I look at live wagering once I get an idea as to Durant's health and ability to affect the game (both offensively and defensively).


Pick: Pass


Schultz: Klay continues to play well. We have backed his over twice in the Finals, and he has come through both times. I really like that play again, but I like Curry's over more -- a bet we lost in Game 4. Curry's ability to score off quick hitters and dial-up triples is made that much more dangerous by his sheer volume and freedom to launch. Hopefully KD returns to the Warriors' lineup, but Curry must play great regardless if the two-time defending champs want to extend this series. Candidly, I didn't think Toronto guarded him all that differently in Game 4 than it did in Game 3 -- Curry had clean looks off pick-and-roll and in the open floor -- he just missed them. Despite going 2-of-9 from deep, the two-time MVP still managed 27 points -- 5.5 below his betting total. I'm betting No. 30 rediscovers his shooting stroke in this one.


Pick: Curry over 31.5 points