The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors are both tied at 3 wins apiece in the best-of-seven NBA Finals. It will be fascinating to see how the series plays out, especially since Game 4 will be aired nationally in the United States and Canada, and possibly other regions as well. The fact that this is the biggest game of the season for both teams makes this game especially significant. At this point, it is really anyone’s game. The tide could undoubtedly be turning in either direction. As in all sporting events, we at Sports Talk are always searching for ways to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Below we will predict the spread and outcome of the game 4 of the NBA Finals:
The Spread
Our predictions are based on in-house betting lines provided to us by a top-notch sports betting site. These lines reflect the betting market consensus and typically represent the straight-up betting odds. They do not take into account any type of spread betting or juice. For instance, if you were to bet on the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Toronto Raptors game with both teams winning by 2 points, the in-house line would be 2.0. Meaning you would get 2 points for every $100 you wagered. However, if you were to bet the Cavaliers to win by 6 points, the in-house line would be 6.0, which means you would win 6 points for every $100 you wager. It is important to keep in mind that these are simply the odds based on what is available now. As soon as more information is revealed, the lines will change accordingly.
It is also important to note here that the betting sites we utilize are responsible for generating a significant amount of their revenue from sports betting. So, you can rest assured that their incentive is to make sure you have as good an experience as possible when gambling on sporting events. This is why they are willing to provide the information we need to make our picks. The fact is the majority of their revenue comes from our patronage. So, they have a vested interest in making sure the picks are as correct as possible.
The Result
Once again, our predictions are based on the in-house betting lines. However, this time we are not making a prediction on whether the Cavaliers or the Raptors will win the series. Instead, we are looking at which team is favored to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Our in-house betting line for this game gives the advantage to the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3.5 points. The line also lists Toronto as a 2-spot favorite. Based on this, we predict that the Cavaliers will win by 2 points.
Why the 3.5 Point Spread?
The Cavaliers are ranked #1 in terms of total offense (points per game) and #2 in terms of scoring defense in the NBA. Despite trailing in both of those categories, the Raptors managed to pull off an upset victory in Game 3, thanks largely in part to 23 points from star forward Kawhi Leonard. After that game, the betting market gave the benefit of the doubt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Going into Game 4, the line makers at the top-notch sports book still have the Cavaliers as a 3.5-point favorite. This is also a reflection of their opinion that the Raptors are not yet finished. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers are showing the world that they are the superior team and are well on their way to another title. The fact that this is a must-win game for the Cavaliers and they are at home makes them even more determined to bring home a championship. This kind of confidence is exactly what the NBA and its fans want to see right now.