Another two game slate in the NBA Playoffs this Thursday, the 4th of May as the respective game two in both the Cleveland vs Toronto and San Antonio vs Houston kick off from 9am. We preview and give our betting tips for both games below.
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (9am AEST)
The Cavs proved to be too strong in game one of the series as LeBron James ended with 35 points and 10 rebounds in an 11-point win to Cleveland. In the end, it was the Raptors lack of efficient offence that was their downfall, with DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lorwy going a combined 14-29 from the field for just 39 points.
Before the series, we thought that the star guard combo would have to be going for upwards of 60 combined points for the Raptors to have any chance at stealing a game, and it’s proving true with the visiting team not getting much out of role players in PJ Tucker, Norman Powell and Jonas Valanciunas in game one.
We liked the Raptors to keep it closer than it was in game one with the line at 6.5 points, which obviously didn’t pan out. After some adjustments and an extra point been given for game two, we are sticking with Toronto to at least keep it close here.
TIP: Toronto Raptors +7.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (11.30am AEST)
We predicted the Rockets to win the series a few days ago, but we didn’t expect game one to be as big of a blowout as it was. Houston absolutely decimated the Spurs on offence to finish the game with a whipping 126 points as six Rockets scored in double digits and James Harden amassed 14 assists.
The ball movement and particular the 3pt shot was on point for the Rockets, with six players shooting multiple three pointers and making a team combined 22 of 50 shots from down town. Amazingly, 90 of their 126 points came from either the 3pt or free throw line, which is exactly how coach Mike D’Antonie liked to run his offence. It’s something that the Spurs will need to change if they want to bounce back in this series.
Spurs coach Greg Popovich is the master of the in series adjustment, so don’t be surprised if we see much less of Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and David Lee in game two and much more Jonathon Simmons, Kyle Anderson and Dewayne Dedmon in an attempt to combat the run and gun style of Houston. If there’s one thing I’m confident in it’s the Spurs ability to play well at home and they won’t be looking to lose both games in their arena here.
TIP: San Antonio Spurs -5.5 - $1.95 at William Hill
