Warriors Given -825 Odds to Advance to 2019 NBA Finals After Beating Blazers in Game 1

• Warriors’ drubbing of Trail Blazers in Game 1 of West Finals shortens series odds to -825
• Golden State seeking fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance
• Is there any value still betting on a series win for Portland?

For a team that’s supposed to be mighty vulnerable, the Golden State Warriors continue to march through the NBA playoffs with little resistance.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors Western Conference Final Odds

*Odds taken May 15, 2019

After a 116-94 demolition of the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals – minus all-world Kevin Durant, no less – books continue to shorten their odds of making it to a fifth consecutive NBA Finals.

The #Rockets were considered an "embarrassment" for losing to the KD-less Warriors by a narrow margin.

Yet, watch that word never be used by the national media as we watch the Warriors destroy the Blazers.

— HoustonHorn (@ndnpro64) May 15, 2019

After easing past the Clippers and stepping on the Rockets, the Dubs entered the Western Conference Finals as heavy favorites over Portland.

With everything currently sticking to script, let’s look at the Blazers’ chances, and if there’s a better way to find value betting on the Warriors.

Still Plenty of Series Left

We don’t want to be all Paul Pierce and tell you that the West Finals are pretty much done, but it’s not exactly a pretty scenario either.

Given a puncher’s chance with Durant still sidelined by a calf injury, Portland played about as poorly as you could in a series opener.

Damian Lillard through 3 quarters
➖➖➖
7 Points
1/12 FGM
0/6 3PM

😬

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 12, 2019

The team shot 36.1% from the field and an even worse 7-for-28 from three (25.1%). The star guard tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were bottled up most of the night, combining for 36 points on 11-for-31 shooting.

Steph Curry's celebrations > pic.twitter.com/kjB35uLw2l

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 15, 2019

But perhaps the most discouraging for Portland was the effort on the other end of the court. A strategic plan for their big man in pick and roll defense was to sit back in the paint, leaving Golden State players wide open coming off a screen.

Terry Stotts is IN NO MOOD. pic.twitter.com/RspBRpI4CO

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 15, 2019

The results were expected. The Warriors lit them on fire, drilling 17 of their 33 three-point attempts, a destructive 51.5% clip.

Warriors Dominant but Unpredictable

Given the shortened odds after their win in Game 1, perhaps you don’t see value betting on Golden State to win the series. But we advise you to proceed with caution. These aren’t your previous playoff-obliterating Warriors of recent titles past.

THE CLIPPERS COME BACK TO STUN THE WARRIORS IN GAME 2 😱 pic.twitter.com/iThAGePdh6

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2019

A team that was billed as beatable in the regular season for their ebbs and flows has done the same in the playoffs. That includes blowing a 31-point lead to the Clippers in Game 2 (at home) in the opening round. Then, surrendering 129 in Game 5 (again, at home) in a closeout game.

It’s all tied up! James Harden poured in a game-high 38 points to lead the Rockets past the Warriors 112-108 in Game 4 and even the series at 2-2 #NBAPlayoffs

🎥: @NBAonTNT
pic.twitter.com/jOHKmJXsBy

— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) May 7, 2019

After building up a 2-0 lead on the Rockets, Houston rallied back to win the next two games at home. What followed was a dicey win in Durant’s injury game, and then Steph going scoreless in Game 6’s first half before scoring 23 of his 33 in the fourth to put Houston away.

In short, they’re 9-4 straight up, 6-7-0 against the spread, and 8-5-0 in O/U.

What’s the Best Bet to Make?

This is Golden State’s time, and I still believe that they will win the NBA Championship – their third straight and a whopping fourth ‘chip in five seasons.

But I don’t know the path they’re going to take there. Betting them to win this series (-825) and the title (-175) are the no-brainers.

If you’re looking for better payouts, go the moneyline and O/U route. However, be prepared to hit some speed bumps along the way.