PREMIUM
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(NBA) Golden State vs. Portland,
11/01/2016 6:00 PM, Score: 127 - 104
Point Spread: -4.50 | -105.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -4.50 | -105.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Warriors are a in a position that the only way the 2016-17 season will be considered anything other than an abject failure, would be for them to win the NBA title. That's why the team's 129-100 season-opening home loss to the Spurs was a seismic event. Golden State has rebounded with consecutive wins but neither of those have been impressive, so the Warriors visit Portland 2-1 but 0-3 ATS. The Blazers lost four of five starters from the previous year's team but went 44-38 last season and then upset the injured Clippers in the first round, before falling to the Warriors in five games. Portland's opened this season 2-1 SU & ATS.
Golden State: Warriors can hardly point to Kevin Durant as a reason for the team's early struggles, as he's averaging 31.3 PPG (on 56.6% shooting) and adding 10.3 RPG. Curry's been fine at 25.7 PPG but Thompson's off to a slow start, making only 14.3% on threes (he's averaging 17.7 per). The final member of the team's "Core Four" is Green and what team wouldn't want a guy averaging 10.3-12.0-7.3? However, Golden State has to improve its defense, as the Warriors rank 30th, allowing 114.3 PPG. In case one doesn't know, the NBA consists of 30 teams!
Portland: The Blazers own a terrific backcourt duo in Lillard (35.0-8.0-5.3) and McCollum (21.3) and enter this game averaging 111.3 PPG (2nd) on 47.7% shooting (also 2nd-best). Lillard is off to a sizzling start to this season, shooting 54.9 percent from the floor, 44.4% from three-point range and 90.5% from the free-throw line. Portland won at Denver 115-113 in OT on Saturday night, rallying from an eight-point deficit in the final 1:15 of regulation.
The pick: Portland will take the floor with some extra motivation after losing to the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals last spring in five games but Golden State will also remember that one of its nine regular-season losses last year came in Portland's 137-105 home triumph on Feb. 19, with Lillard scoring 51 points. Expect Golden State to make it three straight victories and for them to earn the team's first ATS win with a comfortable cover. Golden State is an 8* play.
Golden State: Warriors can hardly point to Kevin Durant as a reason for the team's early struggles, as he's averaging 31.3 PPG (on 56.6% shooting) and adding 10.3 RPG. Curry's been fine at 25.7 PPG but Thompson's off to a slow start, making only 14.3% on threes (he's averaging 17.7 per). The final member of the team's "Core Four" is Green and what team wouldn't want a guy averaging 10.3-12.0-7.3? However, Golden State has to improve its defense, as the Warriors rank 30th, allowing 114.3 PPG. In case one doesn't know, the NBA consists of 30 teams!
Portland: The Blazers own a terrific backcourt duo in Lillard (35.0-8.0-5.3) and McCollum (21.3) and enter this game averaging 111.3 PPG (2nd) on 47.7% shooting (also 2nd-best). Lillard is off to a sizzling start to this season, shooting 54.9 percent from the floor, 44.4% from three-point range and 90.5% from the free-throw line. Portland won at Denver 115-113 in OT on Saturday night, rallying from an eight-point deficit in the final 1:15 of regulation.
The pick: Portland will take the floor with some extra motivation after losing to the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals last spring in five games but Golden State will also remember that one of its nine regular-season losses last year came in Portland's 137-105 home triumph on Feb. 19, with Lillard scoring 51 points. Expect Golden State to make it three straight victories and for them to earn the team's first ATS win with a comfortable cover. Golden State is an 8* play.
