NBA : Chalk-Heavy Warriors Host Portland for Game 2

The Golden State Warriors took Game 1 of their first-round series with the Portland Trail Blazers, but it wasn’t easy. They were all tied at the half and after three quarters, before Golden State hit the gas and won 121-109 – still not enough to cover as 15-point home favorites. Game 2 is Wednesday at the Oracle; TNT has the coverage starting at 10:30 PM ET.

Portland (41-41 SU, 40-42 ATS) barely made it into the postseason, and their minus-0.5 point differential shows they were lucky to reach .500. However, the Blazers do have one of the better offenses in the league, and they rode the hot hands of CJ McCollum (41 points) and Damian Lillard (34 points) in Game 1.

Unfortunately for the Blazers, they don’t have much depth without center Jusuf Nurkic, who’s still recovering from a broken leg and may or may not be ready for Game 2. The Warriors (67-15 SU, 40-39-3 ATS), on the other hand, were comfortable going 10-deep into their lineup during Sunday’s opener. Five different Dubs scored in double figures, and all 10 men finished in plus territory. Until Nurkic returns, this advantage should become even more pronounced as the series rolls on.

NBA Odds: Trail Blazers vs. Warriors, Game 2

The Golden State Warriors needed a strong fourth quarter to put away the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. But they still didn’t cover as 15-point home favourites in a 121-109 victory. Can they do better this Wednesday (10:30 PM ET, TNT) in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series?

It’ll be hard for the Blazers to play much better. CJ McCollum (41 points) and Damian Lillard (34 points) gave all they had, but injury-plagued Portland doesn’t have much depth beyond that dynamic duo. Key trade-deadline acquisition Jusuf Nurkic (leg) missed Game 1 and remains iffy for Wednesday as well.