The Golden State Warriors aren't accustomed to the underdog role, much less this deep in the postseason.
In fact, barring a major line move, we're looking at a betting milestone for Wednesday's Game 3 vs. the Celtics.
The Warriors are listed as 3.5-point underdogs across the market — that mark is the largest in an NBA Finals game for the franchise under head coach Steve Kerr.
The Warriors were favorites in the two prior contests. They lost outright as 3.5-point chalk in the opener vs. Boston, but rebounded in Game 2 as 4.5-point favorites.
Wednesday is just the sixth time the Warriors will close as underdogs in the playoffs since Kerr took the job in 2014. Golden State is 2-3 against the spread in such occasions.
The Dubs were favorites for the entire 2015 NBA Finals vs. the Cavs in Kerr's first campaign.
The following year in a rematch against Cleveland, Golden State was a 'dog three times, getting +1.5, +2 and +2.5 in three respective games (1-2 ATS).
After playing the chalk role in both the '17 and '18 Finals, the Warriors closed as underdogs twice in the '19 title series vs. Toronto: +2 in Game 1 (L) and +2.5 in Game 2 (W).
Golden State — which is 7-3 against the number in the last 10 catching points — has only been an underdog twice previously this postseason.
The club won outright as three-point 'dogs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals vs. the Mavericks, but failed to cover the following contest at +1.5.
