The Golden State Warriors aren’t accustomed to the underdog role, much less this deep in the postseason.
In fact, barring a major line move, we’re looking at a betting milestone for Wednesday’s Game 3 vs. the Celtics.
The Warriors are listed as 3.5-point underdogs across the market — that mark is the largest in an NBA Finals game for the franchise under head coach Steve Kerr.
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The Warriors were favorites in the two prior contests. They lost outright as 3.5-point chalk in the opener vs. Boston, but rebounded in Game 2 as 4.5-point favorites.
Wednesday is just the sixth time the Warriors will close as underdogs in the playoffs since Kerr took the job in 2014. Golden State is 2-3 against the spread in such occasions.
The Dubs were favorites for the entire 2015 NBA Finals vs. the Cavs in Kerr’s first campaign.
The following year in a rematch against Cleveland, Golden State was a ‘dog three times, getting +1.5, +2 and +2.5 in three respective games (1-2 ATS).
After playing the chalk role in both the ’17 and ’18 Finals, the Warriors closed as underdogs twice in the ’19 title series vs. Toronto: +2 in Game 1 (L) and +2.5 in Game 2 (W).
Golden State — which is 7-3 against the number in the last 10 catching points — has only been an underdog twice previously this postseason.
The club won outright as three-point ‘dogs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals vs. the Mavericks, but failed to cover the following contest at +1.5.