NBA Finals 2018 Game 1 Odds: Who Were the Favorites and Underdogs?
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As a lifelong basketball fan and someone who's been analyzing NBA games for over a decade, I still remember the electric anticipation surrounding Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. The matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers was particularly fascinating because it represented the fourth straight Finals meeting between these two teams. Today, I want to explore who were the real favorites and underdogs heading into that crucial opening game, and how the actual performance either confirmed or challenged those expectations.
What were the betting odds telling us before tip-off?
Looking back at the pre-game odds, the Warriors were heavy favorites at -1100, while the Cavaliers stood as significant underdogs at +700. These numbers weren't surprising to me - the Warriors had dominated the Western Conference playoffs, while Cleveland had struggled through a tougher Eastern Conference path. The oddsmakers essentially gave Cleveland about a 12% chance of pulling off the upset, which felt about right given the talent disparity. Personally, I thought the Cavs were being slightly underestimated, but the Warriors' home court advantage and recent playoff experience made them the clear smart bet.
How did the first quarter set the tone for the game?
The opening quarter ended 27-20 in favor of the Warriors, and this is where I noticed something interesting. While Golden State led, the margin wasn't as large as many expected. The 7-point difference suggested Cleveland might have a fighting chance. Watching this quarter live, I remember thinking LeBron James looked determined to prove the doubters wrong. The Cavs were hanging tough, executing their game plan reasonably well against the defending champions. The scoring distribution showed both teams feeling each other out, with neither squad able to establish complete dominance early.
What happened in that disastrous second quarter for Cleveland?
Then came the second quarter - oh boy, this was where things completely fell apart for the Cavaliers. The quarter ended with a staggering 51-29 scoreline, meaning the Warriors outscored Cleveland 24-9 in that period alone. This 15-point differential in a single quarter was absolutely brutal. From my perspective, this is where Golden State's depth and defensive versatility simply overwhelmed the Cavaliers. The Warriors went on one of their characteristic runs where they get stops, push the tempo, and score in bunches. I've seen this movie before with this Golden State team - once they smell blood in the water, they can put a game out of reach faster than any team in NBA history.
Was there any hope for Cleveland after halftime?
By halftime, the score stood at 80-37 in favor of Golden State, representing a 29-8 third quarter advantage for the Warriors. This 21-point differential in the third period essentially ended any realistic chance of a Cleveland comeback. Watching this unfold, I felt genuine sympathy for Cavs fans - their team was being systematically dismantled by a superior opponent. The Warriors were shooting an incredible 59% from the field while holding Cleveland to just 34%. The 43-point halftime deficit was the largest in NBA Finals history, which tells you everything about how one-sided this contest had become.
How did the final quarter play out?
The game concluded with a 92-48 fourth quarter, meaning the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 12-11 in the final period. While the scoring differential narrowed significantly, this was largely because both teams had inserted their bench players. The 44-point final margin of victory (124-90) set a new record for the largest Game 1 blowout in Finals history. From my analyst's perspective, what stood out was how the Warriors maintained their intensity even with the game well in hand - a testament to their championship mentality and deep roster.
Did the actual outcome match the pre-game expectations?
When we examine the NBA Finals 2018 Game 1 odds question in hindsight, the actual result proved the oddsmakers correct, though perhaps even they didn't anticipate such a complete demolition. The final score of 124-90 in favor of Golden State validated their status as heavy favorites. The quarter-by-quarter breakdown - 27-20, 51-29, 80-37, and 92-48 - shows a game that gradually slipped away from Cleveland, with the second and third quarters being particularly devastating.
What does this tell us about underdogs in the modern NBA?
Having watched countless playoff series, I've come to believe that true underdog stories are becoming increasingly rare in today's NBA, especially against superteams like those Warriors squads. The quarter scores from this game - particularly that 51-29 second quarter and 80-37 third quarter - demonstrate how quickly a talent gap can manifest itself at the highest level. While upsets make for great stories, the 2018 Finals opener showed that sometimes, the favorites are favorites for very good reasons.
Would I have bet differently knowing what I know now?
Honestly, even with hindsight, I would have still backed the Warriors to cover, though I might have questioned whether a 12-point spread was sufficient given their explosive potential. The quarter-by-quarter progression reveals a pattern we've seen repeatedly with Golden State - they start methodically, identify weaknesses, then exploit them mercilessly. The 44-point victory margin was extreme, but the direction of the game never really felt in doubt after that dominant second quarter.
Reflecting on this game years later, it stands as a stark reminder of how matchups, talent differentials, and momentum can combine to create unexpectedly lopsided results, even on basketball's biggest stage. The NBA Finals 2018 Game 1 odds discussion ultimately proved prescient, with the favorite delivering in emphatic fashion.