It kind of feels like just yesterday that the Cleveland Cavaliers were hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy as 2015-16 NBA Champions, but here we're with another season tipping off this week. Covers Expert Al McMordie, with the primary edition of his weekly betting roadmap series, specializes in the league's top three title contenders.

Spread Watch

The Golden State Warriors made the largest free agent signing of this year (and, perhaps, any year) after they inked Kevin Durant to a 2-year contract (with a player option after the primary year). Golden State has now compiled the most efficient team in NBA history, because it has two of the highest four, and 4 of the highest 14 players within the entire league. Last season, Durant, Steph Curry and Draymond Green all ranked throughout the eight best players in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus. Klay Thompson, though not within the top eight, was 3rd Team All-NBA last year, and had an 18.67 PER. 

And if that weren't daunting enough for the remainder of the league, then consider that each one four of the Warriors' superstars are within the prime in their careers. It isn't unreasonable to think the soldiers will win the NBA Championship all of the next five years. And that i personally believe they're going to go 16-0 on this year's Playoffs (the Warriors, at -130 odds to win the Title is an implausible bet). Of course, for our individual game betting purposes, the soldiers usually are over-valued early within the season. Indeed, they went 6-1 within the Preseason, but were just 1-4-2 ATS. 

This week, the soldiers will open the season at home vs. the Spurs (and feature been installed as an 8.5-point favorite), after which finish the week with road games at New Orleans and Phoenix. Of the 3 games, I BELIEVE the center game against the Pelicans would be the best opportunity to play on Golden State. They'll have had two days off following their season-opener, and the soldiers are 54-21 SU and 48-26-1 ATS when twiddling with a minimum of two days of rest. Additionally, Golden State won and covered all three games vs. New Orleans last season, and are 26-8-1 ATS the last 35 regular season meetings vs. New Orleans!

Total Watch

The Tom Thibodeau-era is underway in Minnesota - and make no mistake about it - he'll transform the Timberwolves into probably the most league's best defensive teams (just as he did with the Chicago Bulls, after taking on for Vinny Del Negro). In his first regular season with the Bulls they went 'under' the full 48-34, and a number of the profit was made early within the season, as 21 of the Bulls' first 31 games in 2010 went 'under' the total. 

Don't be surprised if the Timberwolves have the same experience this season. Within the Preseason, Minnesota went 'under' in six of its seven games (including all the last six).  

This week, the T-Wolves will play road games at Memphis and Sacramento, and every of these games is a superb candidate to be low-scoring. Last season, Memphis ranked within the bottom 10 in offense, and top 10 in defense. Meanwhile, all four of the Minnesota/Sacramento games last season went 'under' the total.

Injury Watch

The San Antonio Spurs might be without SG Danny Green for the primary 10 games of the season, as he suffered a strained quadriceps injury last week. Though Green shot 10% below his career average last season (30.1% from long distance), he improved greatly within the playoffs (24-for-48, 50%). And he had surgery to correct a vision impairment issue within the off-season. 

Notwithstanding his shooting woes last year, Green is a useful defender (perhaps the league's best in transition defense), and ranked #1. among shooting guards last season in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus defensive rating. So, he's going to be sorely missed the following few weeks. 

The Spurs won a franchise-best 67 games last season, and had among the best defensive seasons in NBA history, but should drop off significantly this year. Besides being without Green early on, the Spurs suffered major losses on their frontline. Defensive stalwart Tim Duncan retired, Boris Diaw was traded to Utah, and free agents David West and Boban Marjanovic signed with Golden State and Detroit, respectively. 

This week, the Spurs could be challenged with four games in six days, including a road game at Golden State on Tuesday, and a road game at Miami on Sunday, when the Spurs may be playing without rest vs. a rested Heat squad. Last season, the Spurs went 2-6 ATS their last eight games when playing without rest vs. a rested foe, so the sport at Miami could prove to be difficult.

Schedule Watch

This Tuesday can be an historic day in Cleveland. Not just will the Indians be playing on the earth Series for the primary time since 1997 (the primary time ever that Game 1 of the sector Series may be played in Cleveland), however the Cavaliers will open their season at home vs. New York, raise their championship banner, and accept their rings. 

A lot of bettors love to go against the defending NBA Champion on its Banner Night, but that situation have been a 50-50 proposition over time (NBA Champs are 13-12 ATS since 1991). Instead, I like to fade such teams at the road of their second game, and particularly if they're matched up against an opponent that is not off a straight-up loss, because the champs are 1-8 ATS in that situation since 1991. And that really well stands out as the case on Friday, when the Cavaliers will travel to Toronto (check Toronto's result vs. Detroit on Wednesday). 

Even better: The Raptors can be twiddling with revenge from a 4-2 series loss last year within the Eastern Conference Finals.

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