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.
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (Celtics 0-1)
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’t 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’ve 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.
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’re one of the top teams in the East, finishing the season 61-21 and currently riding a two-game win streak. They’ve 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’t 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.
Stadium Record
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.
Head to Head Record
The Magic are just 6-14 in its last 20 games against Boston.
Best Bet
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.
Same Game Multi
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.
Under 197.5 pts / Orlando Magic +10.5 = $3.80
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavs 1-0)
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’t 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’ve been slightly better lately, going 6-4 in their last 10. They’ll need a much better effort in Game 2 if they want to avoid heading back to Miami down 2-0.
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’ll be looking to keep the momentum going in Game 2 and head to Miami with a solid 2-0 lead.
Stadium Record
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.
Head to Head Record
Tied 5-5 in the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
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.
Same Game Multi
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.
Over 211.5 pts / Heat +11.5 / Garland 20+ pts = $5.75
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (Warriors 1-0)
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’ll be looking to build on that momentum in Game 2. Even though they’re technically the lower seed, they’ve already stolen home-court advantage and can really put the pressure on Houston with another win.
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’t 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’ve now lost a bit of their edge, going 6-4 in their last 10. Game 2 is a big one — if they can’t bounce back here, they’ll be heading to Golden State in a serious hole.
Stadium Record
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.
Head to Head Record
The Warriors love playing the Rockets with an 8-2 record in the last 10.
Best Bet
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.
Golden State Warriors +3.5 = $1.88
Same Game Multi
If the Warriors play well, you can bet Curry and Butler will be draining buckets. Let's take Butler to get 20+ pts as a safe bet, he's scored 24 or more pts in 5 straight games. Curry has hit 31, 37 and 36 in his last 3. So 25+ pts seems a safe play too.
