Warriors, Bulls and Cavs narrow favourites in NBA playoffs

Golden State Warriors can take a commanding 3-0 series lead over New Orleans on Thursday night, when they hit the hard court against the Pelicans as five-point favourites in Coral’s NBA playoff betting.

No. 1 Golden State finished atop the standings during the regular season, winning 67 games to run away with the top seed in the Western Conference by a stunning 11-game margin.

However, it was the Warriors who were playing catch-up in Game 2 of their first-round NBA Playoff series against No. 8 New Orleans, overcoming the Pelicans’ fast start and a 13-point first-half deficit to capture a 97-87 win, but failing to cover the 13-point spread in NBA online betting at Coral.

That win extends Golden State’s current SU win streak to six games, however the Warriors continue to be a sports betting disappointment, posting their fifth straight ATS loss, and eighth in their last 10 outings. The club has particularly struggled when pegged as double-digit favourites, covering in just five of their last 15.

Game 2 marked the Pelicans’ fifth SU loss of the season to Golden State, against just one win, a 103-100 home victory earlier this month. But New Orleans has consistently rewarded loyal punters, going 4-2 ATS against the Warriors this season.

New Orleans also enters Thursday night’s Game 3 match-up at Smoothie King Center, riding a five-game SU and ATS winning streak on home hardwood, with the point total playing UNDER in five of their last seven.

The scene will shift to Milwaukee’s Bradley Center on Thursday night where Chicago Bulls will also be looking to grab a 3-0 lead in their NBA Playoff series against the Bucks, sitting as 2.5-point favourites.

Ranked third, the Bulls dominated in the first two games of the series at United Center, posting 12- and nine-point victories while favoured by eight points in each meeting. Chicago have now won six straight SU, 5-1 ATS, and are a strong 8-1 SU in their last nine against the No. 6 Bucks, 7-2 ATS.