A new Golden State Warriors prop bet: Over or under 5½ playoff losses?

By MATT YOUMANS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) argues a call next to teammate Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics on Friday, April 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, April 10, 2016, in San Antonio. Golden State won 92-86. (Darren Abate/AP)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) looks down in the closing minutes of a 124-117 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

The crowd reacts after Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, center, made a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics on Friday, April 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) makes a 3-point basket next to Boston Celtics’ Avery Bradley (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Fans celebrate after Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry scored against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Ben Margot/AP)

It’s time to stop speculating how many games the Golden State Warriors will win. The answer, for the regular season, is going to be 73.

South Point oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro has reversed the question. He posted this proposition bet Monday:

How many games will the Warriors lose in the NBA playoffs? The total is 5½, with the under favored at minus-130.

“We’re getting a lot of gawkers,” Vaccaro said, “but nobody has made a bet yet.”

Last year, Golden State went 16-5 in the playoffs en route to winning the championship. The Warriors swept New Orleans 4-0 in the first round, defeated Memphis 4-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, knocked out Houston 4-1 in the conference finals and finished off Cleveland in six games in the NBA Finals.

The postseason begins this weekend, but the seeds are not planted yet.

It appears Golden State will draw Houston in the first round and, if that’s the matchup, expect the Rockets to win no more than one game in the series. A sweep would be no surprise at all.

The Warriors should drop a game or two in the semifinals against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland, if seeds hold.

Assuming No. 2 San Antonio advances past No. 3 Oklahoma City, the conference finals will be the key to the bet. The Spurs are likely to win at least two games, and they certainly are capable of winning three or four.

If it’s a Stephen Curry-LeBron James rematch in the Finals, count on the Cavaliers for at least one win.

All things considered, the best bet on the South Point prop is probably over 5½ at plus-money, with an expectation of Golden State going 16-6 if it reaches the Finals. But that’s just speculation, and betting against the Warriors is extremely risky business.

The Warriors (72-9) have matched the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ season record for wins, and Golden State is a big favorite to get No. 73 tonight against Memphis.

For what it’s worth, the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of 20 years ago finished 15-3 in the playoffs.

Contact sports betting reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247