There’s nothing better in professional sports than a Game 7, and we have one first-round series in the NBA playoffs with one.
The Golden State Warriors failed to close out the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center in Game 6 on Friday night, shifting the series back to Sacramento on Sunday for a win-or-go-home matchup.
The Kings dominated Game 6, winning by 19 points after being set as 7.5-point underdogs. Golden State struggled shooting the ball in that game, and now the team has to win a second road game to take the series.
That’s a major concern for the Warriors, as the team went just 11-30 on the road in the regular season and dropped the first two games of the series in Sacramento.
This game is set as a pick’em, but who should we back?
First, let’s examine the latest odds:
Warriors vs. Kings odds, spread and total
Warriors vs. Kings prediction and pick
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m betting against the defending champs in Game 7.
Golden State’s defense has been atrocious on the road this season (28th in defensive rating), and the team didn’t have an answer for the Kings going small in Game 6. In fact, Kevon Looney revealed that the team didn’t even prepare for the Kings making that adjustment.
Not ideal.
Mike Brown has out-coached Steve Kerr in this series, and the Kings have the shooting talent to hang with the Warriors even on their best offensive night.
Golden State did win Game 5 in Sacramento, but based on the team’s road play this season, I’m not sure a second road win is in the cards.
It’s going to take a massive game from Stephen Curry for Golden State to get this done, and role players such as Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Poole have come up short all series. I’ll roll with the Kings to win Game 7.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.