Western Conference Finals Free Pick : Game One 5/16

• 15 May 2016

A lot of striking similarities can be seen in the Western Conference Finals Free Pick.  Both teams are headed by young coaches that have superstars at their disposal.  One has developed a new style that the league seeks to emulate.  The other goes by the tried and true Big Two or Three superstar approach.  Warriors open up the action at home being -7 1/2 point favorites on Monday.  Does HRWager think they can get the ATS win or is the Thunder good for some underdog attention at 9PM EST on May 16th?

Western Conference Finals Free Pick : Curry Absence

As long as they are not gassed, the Golden State Warriors probably benefited from Steph Curry’s absence from most of the playoffs.  His ankle and knee did need the rest.  Other parts of the team were allowed to develop into their own to get here.  Being on a defending champion, the issue of their not being enough balls to appease all the players should not be a factor.  We are looking at a drive to culminate the best regular season in league history.  Having the record and not sealing the deal at the end is a stigma that one does not want to deal with in their legacy.

Harrison Barnes is the Key

Money time for Harrison if he can come through.  Next year’s addition to the salary cap will result in some very big free agent contracts.  More than likely, the Warriors will not be able to afford Barnes when he cashes in.  He gets the grunt work in having to probably guard Durant or Westbrook most times on the floor.  All of this and he will be called upon to get to ten points a night.  If he can do this then the Warriors should advance if they retain their health.

The feeling out process is all on the Warriors here.  OKC knows about the pitfalls of opening slow as the Spurs slammed them in the first game of the last series.  Do not think that the Thunder want to hear about it all over again.  While we can not recommend the OKC ML, the spread of +7 1/2 is too good to pass up.  Enjoy this great game with an investment on the results.  Opt for the Thunder + 7 1/2 for your maximum potential to profit this Monday night.  Good fortune and we will see you later on here at the HRW.