Raptors and Warriors Given the Same Odds of Winning NBA Finals After Game 3

• The Toronto Raptors hammered the Golden State Warriors 123-109 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals
• Sportsbooks now give both teams the same -110 odds to win the best-of-seven series
• Toronto has never won an NBA Championship

Was Wednesday a pivotal moment in NBA Finals history? Have we witnessed a changing of the guard atop the heap in the Association?

The Toronto Raptors didn’t just beat the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. They dismantled the Warriors right on their home court to the tune of 123-109.

The verdict also caused a seismic shift in the NBA Championship odds. For the first time in the series, the Raptors are given the same chance of winning it all as the mighty Warriors.

2019 NBA Finals Odds

Odds taken 06/06/19

After their Game 2 win, the Warriors were listed as -270 favorites to win a third straight NBA title. Odds of +250 were being offered on Toronto emerging victorious.

Toronto in NBA Final Driver’s Seat

As circumstances have developed in this series, it’s becoming evident that the power is shifting toward the Raptors.

They proved to be a quick study. After taking their foot off the gas in Game 2 and squandering a five-point halftime lead, the Raptors kicked it into overdrive from the opening tip-off of Game 3 and never let up.

Someone wrote “let it rip” on the blackboard in the Toronto locker room and that’s exactly what the Raptors did.

Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points. Kyle Lowry netted 23 and Danny Green poured in 18. All five Raptors starters hit for double digits. Toronto shot 52.4 percent and nailed 17 3-pointers.

The Raptors are the 3rd team in Finals history to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the free throw line, joining the Warriors in 2017 and the Celtics in 1986. pic.twitter.com/fQEVeWrMsk

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 6, 2019

Every time Golden State sought to initiate a run, Toronto answered.

Are Warriors Broken?

Every day it seems, another Golden State player limps off the court. Kevin Durant (calf), the MVP of the last two NBA Finals, hasn’t played the last eight games. Guard Klay Thompson (hamstring) didn’t pay Game 3. The status of both starters for Game 4 is uncertain at best.

Reserve guard Kevon Looney (collarbone) is out for the series. Oft-injured center Boogie Cousins headed to the locker room before the end of Game 3 but the Warriors insisted he would be fine for Game 4.

Can you imagine that @StephenCurry30 scored 47 points tonight in Oakland, and the @warriors LOST?! As brilliant a road game as the @Raptors have ever played, winning 123-109. They lead 2 games to 1. Phenomenal. #WeTheNorth #NBAFinals

— Steve Paikin (@spaikin) June 6, 2019

The Warriors have become what the Raptors often were in earlier rounds with Leonard – a one-man gang. Steph Curry went off for a playoff-high 47 points in Game 3. But just as one Raptor wasn’t going to beat the Warriors, one Warrior isn’t going to beat the Raptors.

Kerr’s Cryptic Words

Warriors coach Steve Kerr used words like “hopefully” to describe what needs to happen for Golden State to right the ship. Hopefully they will bounce back. Hopefully they will get healthy.

The Raptors take Game 3!

Toronto scored 123 points, the most the Warriors have allowed at home in the NBA Finals under Steve Kerr.

The Raptors also got 106 points from their Starting 5, the most in any playoff game in their franchise history. pic.twitter.com/UWKgCZPZbz

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 6, 2019

Those aren’t the words of a champion.

It’s time to get aboard the Raptors bandwagon. Take the 5.5 points with Toronto in Game 4 and go with the Raptors at -110 to win the series.