TOR @ GSW

Game 6

TOR Leads 3-2

Time: 8 PM (CT) ABC/ESPN

Spread: GSW -2.5

Total: 212

Odds c/o 5dimes

The Golden State Warriors got Kevin Durant back for Game 5, but it was not for long, nor did it end well: The superstar played 12 minutes of great basketball before re-injuring himself to the tune of a ruptured Achilles.’ Now, with his career hanging in the balance, the Warriors prepare for a Game 6 without Durant on its home court. Golden State is 2.5-point favorites according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes, and the game will tip off at 8 PM (CT) on ABC. It has an over/under set at 212 points according to 5dimes, as well.

Durant showed the heart of a champion in his brief Game 5 cameo, but since the focus mostly has been on who to direct the blame towards for allowing the 30-year-old to risk his career well-being for a playoff victory. Golden State did, in fact, win game 6, but it did so without Durant playing three-quarters of the affair. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both stepped up to have relatively big games, shooting a collective 19 of 44 for 57 points between them, including five threes from Curry and seven from Thompson.

The Warriors shot 46.3 percent from the field in the game, but managed to both stays in it and close it out due to the three-point prowess it displayed. Golden State connected on 20 of 42 from deep, with all starters having connected on at least one triple. DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook each added one apiece off the bench, and Cousins had 14 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes while finishing -4 for his 20 minutes of court time. Cousins is needed upon to be a positive force with Durant out of the lineup, and he will most likely return to the starting lineup after surrendering that slot for Durant to start in Game 5.

The Raptors had both Pascal Siakam and Kawhi Leonard come back to earth in Game 5. Leonard was just 9 of 24 from the field and Siakam was 6 of 15, including missing all four of his threes (and he has now missed his last 12, mostly being left wide-open). Kyle Lowry received a lot of the blame for a crunch time meltdown, but he otherwise played a strong game with 18 points and six assists and a +4 mark for his 42 minutes of action. Marc Gasol, too, had one of his better offensive showings of the series with 17 points on 4 of 6 shooting, to go with eight rebounds and two assists.

The Raptors also held a +6 advantage on the boards and kept its turnovers down to 13, but it shot just 8 of 32 from three-point range which could easily be said to be the decisive factor in a game that so strongly showcased the triple. Serge Ibaka had 15 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Fred VanVleet added 11 points and more strong defense on Curry, but it was not enough with the “Splash Brothers” locked in while their backs were against the proverbial wall. Many expect a similar showing from Curry and Thompson in Game 6 as Golden State looks to push a Game 7 with a win at Oracle tonight.

ATS TRENDS (C/o Covers):