Golden State Warriors Large Favorite (-7.5+) Betting Trend

The Warriors' struggles as large favorites stem from their championship-era mentality colliding with inflated expectations. When installed as heavy favorites, Golden State often plays with the assumption that their superior talent will naturally prevail, leading to lackadaisical starts and reduced defensive intensity. This team has historically thrived on pace and rhythm, but large spreads typically come against weaker opponents who deliberately slow the game down and pack the paint, disrupting the Warriors' free-flowing offensive system. Steve Kerr's rotation management also becomes problematic in blowout scenarios. The Warriors frequently build substantial leads then coast, allowing opponents to chip away while key players rest or play with reduced urgency. Their three-point variance amplifies this issue - when the shots aren't falling, games that should be comfortable victories become nail-biters against inferior competition. The psychological element cannot be understated. Championship-caliber teams often struggle with motivation against clearly overmatched opponents, particularly in regular season games that feel meaningless compared to their playoff aspirations. This trend matters most during West Coast road trips against rebuilding Eastern Conference teams, where travel fatigue combines with motivational lapses to create perfect storm conditions for underwhelming performances.