Monday’s NBA Playoffs slate brings us a couple of pivotal Game 4s – one within the Western Conference and one within the Eastern Conference. Covers talks to Jay Rood, vice chairman of race and sports for MGM Resorts, and likewise gets some insights at the two matchups from an oddsmaker for online site BetNow.

Golden State Warriors at Portland Trailblazers – Open: Warriors -4.5; Move: Warriors -6

Twenty-four hours ago, it appeared highly unlikely that reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry would play tonight for the Warriors, as he continues to nurse a knee injury. Within the last couple of hours things have changed a bit, and therefore so has the road leading as much as the 10:30 p.m. Eastern tipoff.

“We opened at -4.5, and now it’s as much as 6. Everybody just went up just a little bit, at the news that Curry is now listed as questionable, as opposed to doubtful,” Rood said earlier this afternoon.

And it’s not only straight bets that Rood’s MGM shops are seeing.

“The public is playing parlays of Warriors and the over,” Rood said, noting the full has jumped from 214.5 to 216.

The Warriors lead the best-of-7 series 2-1, but lost Game 3 120-108 as a 2.5-point road favorite Saturday. BetNow’s oddsmaker says that loss isn’t stopping Golden State money today.

“With Curry possibly playing tonight, bettors are sticking with the soldiers heavy,” he said. “There isn’t really that much action for the Blazers, but we believe that bettors are holding out until Curry’s status is [officially] announced.

“Also, the over is being picked largely for this game. It’s become a trend on this series.”

Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat – Open: Heat -5; Move: Heat -5.5

After losing the series opener on their home floor, the Raptors bounced back with victories in Games 2 and 3, including Saturday’s 95-91 win as a 5.5-point road underdog to revive home-court advantage. However the line sits within the same spot for tonight’s 8 p.m. Eastern contest.

“It’s mostly Heat money so far,” Rood said, adding that more bettors are the entire. “It’s far and wide money. We opened at 189.5, and we’re as much as 192.”

Injuries have shaken up this game a bit of for both teams, with Toronto losing center Jonas Valanciunas (sprained ankle) for the remainder of this series, and Miami without big man Hassan Whiteside (sprained knee) for a minimum of Game 4.

“With Toronto and Miami coping with injuries to big players, it appears bettors are playing it careful up until game time,” BetNow’s oddsmaker said. “Since last night, the action was very split down the middle, with just slightly more action for the Raptors to cover.”

Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers Vegas.

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