clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Warriors vs Cavs: Predictions, start time, TV schedule, live stream, odds and more

The Golden State Warriors make their first trip back to Cleveland where they clinched their first NBA title in 40 years.

By AndrewFlohr
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Matchup
Golden State Warriors
37-4 (22-17-2 ATS)
 vs
Cleveland Cavaliers
28-10 (17-20-1 ATS)
How To Watch
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 18th, 2016.
Quicken Loans Arena - Cleveland, OH.
5:00 p.m. PST
TNT | KNBR 680 AM | TNT Overtime
Blog Buddy: Fear The Sword
Betting Lines
Golden State +3
 		★ Cleveland -3
Money Line
Golden State +137 ★ Cleveland -157
Over/Under Total
209 Total Points

★★★

With an NBA best 37 wins the Golden State Warriors have not seen much adversity in 2015-2016. But as the Dubs enter the second half of their season, adversity can be seen taking shape in the form of LeBron James. Golden State has lost two of their last three including two in a row on the road. Detroit's 113-95 drubbing of the Dubs is their worst loss in the Steve Kerr era in a game that Steph Curry played in.

The road that lies ahead does not get much easier for the Warriors. Cleveland is atop the Eastern Conference with a 15-1 record at home this season. However Golden State clinched their first NBA title in 40 years on the Cavaliers home court back in June.

"Obviously, walking in the locker room, it'll be good memories," Stephen Curry told Bay Area New Group's Diamond Leung on Sunday. "Hopefully, it still smells a little bit like champagne."

Curry's comments twisted the sword that was pierced through Cleveland's heart back in the Finals. LeBron James is no stranger when it comes to taking unwarranted shots at the Warriors through the media. The only real answer the King can respond with is to defend his come court come Monday night.

The Warriors enter their marquee matchup against the Cavs as three point underdogs, only the second time all season they are not favored to win. According to OddsShark.com Golden State is 0-8 ATS when playing on one day of rest, which is the situation they are currently in. However the Dubs are 4-0 on the ML and 3-1 ATS in their last four games against Cleveland.

The total has gone over in 14 of the last 18 games the Warriors have played on the road. Tonight's over/under is tentatively set at 209 points according to BetOnline. The last game between the Warriors and Cavs resulted in the lowest combined point total (172 total points) in any game the Warriors have played in this season.

FLO'S PICKS

From 1/16 vs Detroit:
ML - WARRIORS - LOSS - DET - 113-95
ATS - WARRIORS (-7) - LOSS - DET by 18
O/U - OVER (214.5) - LOSS - 208 total points
Season Totals:
ML: 35-4 (90%)
ATS: 21-18 (54%)
O/U: 20-19 (51%)

You don't get very many opportunities to take the Warriors plus points, as aforementioned it is only the second time they enter a game this season as underdogs. With that being said, Cleveland is 9-1 in their last ten games losing only to the San Antonio Spurs on the road.

While Golden State is the better team Cleveland is playing well as of late and holds the advantage of playing tonight's game at home.

Here are my picks for tonight' game:

ML - CLEVELAND
ATS - CLEVELAND -3
O/U - UNDER 209

More From Golden State Of Mind

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Golden State of Mind Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Golden State Warriors news from Golden State of Mind