How Kevin Durant’s Injury Timetable Impacts Warriors-Raptors Title Odds

On Thursday night the Raptors made the select few who bet on them look smart by winning by nine points — easily covering the closing spread of -1.5/-2. Steph Curry did his fair share by dropping 34 points, but Pascal Siakam stole the show with 32 points of his own to lead the way for Toronto.

Are the Warriors in trouble if Kevin Durant can't return? Luckily for them, that doesn't look like it'll be the case.

After no clear-cut answer regarding his return date, news broke Tuesday morning that Durant is expected to return sometime in the middle of the series.

Sure, there is still no specific game given, but one can assume Game 4 based on the wording.

Perhaps if the Raptors win Game 2, Durant will be pushed to to return in Game 3. Maybe it won't be until Game 5?

Nevertheless, oddsmakers are not phased by this announcement. After falling from -310 to -150 to win the series after last night's loss, the Warriors remain title favorites at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

With Golden State giving the impression that Durant would return at some point, this news was already factored into the line. Had he been ruled out for the entire series, I imagine we'd have seen the line much closer to a pick 'em.

Though some may argue that Durant is the best player in the league, he's not the most valuable player when it comes to the spread. Given his slew of All-Star teammates, he's not as important as some players like LeBron James or Anthony Davis.

Depending on who you ask, Durant is worth between three and four points to the spread, with the top-tier being worth five or more points.

Start preparing yourself for actionable Durant injury news, which likely come with some significant line movement, heading into Game 3.