2019 NBA Finals Props: Odds on Series Score, a Sweep, Series Spread, Player PPG Averages & More

• The Raptors host the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday
• The Warriors are seeking a three-peat and their fourth title in five years 
• We’ve found the winning bets for the Warriors-Raptors in the NBA Finals

There are so many variables in the much-anticipated NBA Finals between the Warriors and Raptors, ahead of their Game 1 tilt on Thursday.

Personnel-wise, there’s no telling if Kevin Durant is coming back for this series or if he’s played his last game for the Dubs. He’s only the most devastating scorer in basketball. It’s fair to say that this sidelined player can swing the balance of any series with a return to the court.

The Raptors held the edge against the Warriors in the regular season …

… we're now two days away from seeing how things will shake out in the Finals ? pic.twitter.com/ILUv6xbE1o

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 28, 2019

Lineup-wise, how is Raptors head coach Nick Nurse going to set up his defense: does he spring Kawhi Leonard on Steph Curry and go power vs power right off the hop, or does he want to conserve his star to do damage on the offensive end, rather than trying to move through a screen maze chasing a shifty little guy?

@StephenCurry30 drills his 5th 3-pointer of the first half from way downtown!! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/YjgT3HbD0Q

— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) May 21, 2019

Strategy-wise: does Steve Kerr intend to go big, offsetting the larger Toronto frontcourt of Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakim and Leonard? Or does he try to bend the Raptors to GState’s will, rendering big bodies unplayable and turning this into a small-ball battle?

So much to think about – but hey, that’s why we’re here! Let’s run down some of the notable 2019 NBA Finals series props, and find you a winner. And we promise this is a Drake-free zone.

Series Correct Score Odds

* All odds taken 05/28/19

It’s going to be a massive contest of strength vs strength. The Raptors enter this series with the top-rated defense in the entire playoffs, after finishing top-4 in the NBA during the regular season.

Absolutely great defense by Kawhi on Giannis. But also, it’s Ibaka’s help that prevents him from getting left. pic.twitter.com/CjjLMvtnM9

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 24, 2019

With Kawhi as the centrepiece, Siakim defending any position that needs top-flight attention, Kyle Lowry throwing his body around and drawing charges, and Gasol anchoring things inside with heady play and being in position, this is a tough team to get buckets on.

My gut tells me that @Raptors will win the @NBA Championship in 7 over the @Warriors yes @kawhileonard is THAT GOOD !

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 26, 2019

Counter that with the top-rated playoff offense and scoring juggernaut of the Warriors, who enter the Finals pouring in 117.3 points a game. With Durant injured, the team has returned to a kaleidoscope of ball movement and cutting, needing just one slip-up to see the ball fill the bucket. And even when you’re in the right spot, you’ve got two of the deadliest shooters all-time making absurd shots look ordinary, all while deflating the opposition.

? @KlayThompson's best #NBAFantasy performance of this postseason came in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Klay put up 26 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, and 2 BLK for 44.7 FPTS! pic.twitter.com/c2DT0UGSUW

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) May 28, 2019

At some point in this era, defense used to win championships. And while it will slow down the Dubs, you can only plug the dam for so long. Forget about the sweeps, this one’s going six.

Pick: Warriors win 4-2 (+275)

Total Number of Games Played Odds

There’s a path to a sweep here, and the Warriors’ series with the Trail Blazers is the blueprint. While Golden State started that series at home, the way they ran over the Blazers in Portland can happen in Toronto, if the moment swallows up the home team (and fans) if the first two games are close down the stretch.

Golden State closed the game on a 14-3 run as CJ McCollum (0-6 FG) and Damian Lillard (0-3) were held scoreless over the final 7:40.

The Warriors are the only team over the past 5 Postseasons to overcome multiple halftime deficits of 15+ points. pic.twitter.com/E7UJbvIZmw

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2019

As they did with Damian Lillard, the Warriors are going to do everything they can to take the ball out of Kawhi Leonard’s hands and force the rest of the team to make winning plays. Good thing for you, Raptors fans: you’ve got a squad that has finally shown it can support their superstar.

Pick: Over 5.5 Games (-180)

Will There Be a Sweep?

There does have to be something comforting with having a previous Finals MVP on the court for the Raptors – especially one playing at a level like Leonard’s. Almost all the Raptors are dipping their feet into the Finals waters for the first time. If their defense holds, like many believe it can, that should make for a deep series. Deeper than the whitewash in last year’s Finals, anyways.

Pick: No (-600)

Home/Away Game Wins Odds

There are a dearth of killer stats to define the Warriors, but none are probably as impressive as this: Golden State has won at least one game on the road in 22 consecutive playoff series.

That’s incredible. No matter the environment, no matter if they’re shooting poorly or in foul trouble or struggling, somehow, the Warriors find a way to show up on the road.

Pick: No – all games won by home team (-2000)

Series Game Spread Odds

Almost every prognosticator is pointing to a split in the opening two Toronto games, and Golden State taking care of business on their home court the rest of the way. While it will be a nice way to close out Oracle, Raptors fans can take solace in the fact that you got far enough to cash out.

Pick: Raptors +1.5 Games (+130)

Kawhi Leonard Scoring Average Odds

Kawhi, as we’ve documented, has done just about everything except drive the team bus to and from games. His scoring average did dip under 30 points in the Eastern Conference Finals after hitting an apex of 34.7 points across seven games against the 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard has 11 games with at least 30 points in the 2019 #NBAPlayoffs. The only players in postseason history with more such games prior to the Finals are Michael Jordan (13 in 1989, 12 in 1990) and Hakeem Olajuwon (12 in 1995). pic.twitter.com/6rUUpVHIan

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 28, 2019

While I think the Warriors will work to get the ball out of his hands, and he’ll have his hands full with whoever he’s guarding this series, the value here is too good.

Pick: Over 30.5ppg (+450)

Steph Curry Scoring Average Odds

A bet for over means you don’t believe Kevin Durant returns this series.

I believe KD does return to the lineup, and that throws off Curry for a game or two, just enough to drop him under for the series, but not enough to slow him for his first Finals MVP.

Pick: Under 30.5ppg (+100)

Draymond Green Scoring Average Odds

Save for Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference Finals (when he scored just eight points back-to-back) Green has been effective at scoring the ball, averaging 16.1 points in the other eight games in the last two series.

? @Money23Green's BEST of the 2018-19 NBA Regular Season & #NBAPlayoffs going into #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV! #StrengthInNumbers

?: GSW / TOR, Game 1
?️: Thursday, 5/30
⏰: 9pm/et ?: ABC pic.twitter.com/i1MY6GPBFK

— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2019

While Green has unlocked his game with KD gone too, he’s still the de facto point man for this offense, and should be effective no matter who guards him (except Kawhi, maybe).

Pick: Over 13.5ppg (+100)

Kyle Lowry Scoring Average Odds

How Toronto fares might come down to Lowry, who’s turned his normal erratic postseason play into a calming veteran presence on the court. His first two rounds produced averages of just 12.2 points on 40% from the field and a paltry 29% from beyond the arc.

Offensively speaking, if the Raptors are going to seriously challenge the Dubs, it’ll take 23-25 PPG from Kyle Lowry all series. Kawhi getting 30-35 won’t be enough. Lowry will have to produce similarly to how Kyrie did in 2016. This is just offensively. pic.twitter.com/pY4GrHdOvQ

— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) May 29, 2019

Against Milwaukee? He averaged 19.2 points on 50.9% from the field and 48.8% from deep. Which one shows up in this series?

Pick: Under 15.5ppg (-110)