The NBA playoffs are on the agenda this Thursday and we have 3 cracking Game 2 matchups. The Celtics are looking to go 2-0 before heading south. The Cavs smashed the Heat in Game 1 and can make it 2-0 on home court. Meanwhile, the Warriors upset the Rockets in Game 1 on the road, can they do it again and take a 2-0 lead to San Fran? Here’s a look at the 3 matchups.<\/p>\n
The Magic head into Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Celtics down 0-1 after a tough loss in Boston. They dropped Game 1, 103-86, despite a strong showing from Paolo Banchero, who poured in 36 points on 51.9% shooting, along with 11 boards and 4 assists. Franz Wagner chipped in with 23 points and 5 assists, but it wasn\u2019t enough to match the East’s top seed. Orlando finished the regular season at an even 41-41 and sits seventh in the East, but they\u2019ve been in decent form lately, going 7-3 in their last 10. They’ll need to bounce back quickly if they want to avoid heading home down 2-0.<\/p>\n
The Celtics are rolling into Game 2 with a 1-0 lead in the series after taking care of business in the opener, beating the Magic 103-86 at home. Boston showed why they\u2019re one of the top teams in the East, finishing the season 61-21 and currently riding a two-game win streak. They\u2019ve gone 8-2 in their last 10 and looked sharp in Game 1, with Derrick White dropping 30 points on 55.6% shooting and Payton Pritchard adding 19 off the bench, hitting 75% from the field. Jayson Tatum wasn\u2019t his best from deep (just 1 of 8 from three), but still grabbed 14 boards and made his presence felt. They’ll look to keep the pressure on Orlando and head south with a commanding 2-0 series lead.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Boston are 5-0 in its last 5 games at home. Orlando are 2-9 in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Boston.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Magic are just 6-14 in its last 20 games against Boston.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n In the Celts last 7 playoff games, the Under is a perfect 7-0. They allowed just 86 pts in Game 1 and I think their defence will continue to have success against an inexperienced Magic side.<\/p>\n Under 197.5 pts = $1.91<\/a><\/p>\n Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/p>\n Along with the Under, I think the Magic can keep it closer this time, especially with Tatum struggling to hit his shot in Game 1. The Magic are 7-0 ATS after a loss too.<\/p>\n Under 197.5 pts \/ Orlando Magic +10.5 = $3.80<\/a><\/p>\n The Heat are down 0-1 in their first-round series against the Cavs after getting outplayed in Game 1, losing 121-100 in Cleveland. Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 points and 9 boards, while Tyler Herro added 21, but Miami just couldn\u2019t keep up with the Cavs’ firepower. The Heat finished the regular season at 37-45 and snuck into the playoffs as the 10th seed, though they\u2019ve been slightly better lately, going 6-4 in their last 10. They\u2019ll need a much better effort in Game 2 if they want to avoid heading back to Miami down 2-0.<\/p>\n The Cavs kicked off their playoff run with a dominant 121-100 win over the Heat in Game 1, showing why they finished as the top seed in the East with a 64-18 record. Donovan Mitchell was in his usual groove, dropping 30 points on nearly 58% shooting, while Ty Jerome lit it up with 28 points on a super-efficient 66.7% from the floor. Despite that strong start, Cleveland has actually dropped a game recently and sits 6-4 in their last 10, but they\u2019ll be looking to keep the momentum going in Game 2 and head to Miami with a solid 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Cleveland are 11-3 in its last 14 games at home. Miami are 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Tied 5-5 in the last 10 meetings.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Over is now 5-1 when these two teams meet and the Cavs dominated with 121 pts in Game 1. I think this goes Over too.<\/p>\n Over 211.5 pts = $1.86<\/a><\/p>\n Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/p>\n Garland seems like a lock to get 20+ pts, he’s hit the mark in 3 straight games. The Heat will hopefully make some adjustments after a Game 1 thrashing and I’m hoping they can keep it closer this time, they’re 12-5 ATS in their last 17. Playing 3 straight road games probably didn’t help them in Game 1 so they should be better prepared now.<\/p>\n Over 211.5 pts \/ Heat +11.5 \/ Garland 20+ pts = $5.75<\/a><\/p>\n The Warriors took control early in their first-round series against the Rockets, grabbing a gritty 95-85 win on the road in Game 1. Steph Curry led the way with 31 points on a red-hot 63.2% shooting night, while Jimmy Butler added 25 points, 6 dimes, and 7 boards in a solid all-around effort. Golden State, the 7th seed in the West, has been in good form lately with a 7-3 record over their last 10, and they\u2019ll be looking to build on that momentum in Game 2. Even though they\u2019re technically the lower seed, they\u2019ve already stolen home-court advantage and can really put the pressure on Houston with another win.<\/p>\n The Rockets dropped Game 1 at home, falling 95-85 to the Warriors and slipping into a three-game losing skid at the worst possible time. Alperen Sengun was a bright spot with 26 points on 61.1% shooting, but he didn\u2019t get much help, with Dillon Brooks managing just 11 points on a rough shooting night. Houston came into the playoffs as the 2nd seed in the West with a solid 52-30 record, but they\u2019ve now lost a bit of their edge, going 6-4 in their last 10. Game 2 is a big one \u2014 if they can\u2019t bounce back here, they\u2019ll be heading to Golden State in a serious hole.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Houston are 2-2 in their last 4. Golden State are 7-0 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Warriors love playing the Rockets with an 8-2 record in the last 10.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Hard to look past the Warriors. They look impressive with Curry and Butler. Houston have struggled against Golden State recently and that didn’t change in Game 1.<\/p>\nMiami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavs 1-0)<\/h3>\n
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (Warriors 1-0)<\/h3>\n