MIA Heat vs CLE Cavaliers Predictions, Player Props & Odds for Game 2
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The Cavs are 12-point favorites over the Heat in Game 2 of their 1st Round Playoff series on Wednesday
- Cleveland took the series opener 121-100, fuelled by 27+ points from three different players
- See my Heat vs Cavaliers Predictions and Props for Game 2, plus the odds below
Game 1 of the Heat versus Cavaliers 1st Round series went exactly as you’d expect the 8 vs 1 matchup to go in the NBA playoff bracket. Online sportsbooks expect a similar result in Game 2, pegging Cleveland as double-digit home chalk. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:40pm ET inside the Rocket Arena, in Cleveland, OH, with NBA TV providing the broadcast coverage.
Heat vs Cavaliers Predictions
- Cleveland Cavaliers Over 112.5 Points (-104 at FanDuel)
My prediction is that for the second straight game, Miami struggles to get stops. Cleveland splashed 121 points in Game 1, making 51% of their shots, and 42% of their threes. The Cavs got 30 points from Donovan Mitchell, while Darius Garland and Ty Jerome poured in 27 and 28 points respectively.
Cleveland’s ability to knock down threes reminded us that this was the number one team in the league from behind the arc from October to March. If you’re Heat backer it must have been demoralizing, as 24 of the Cavs 43 three-point attempts were wide open.
The slashing drives of Mitchell and Garland force extra help from a second Miami defender, which inevitable leaves a man wide open. Cleveland shot an NBA-best 42% on open threes this season, and picked up right where they left off in Game 1 of the playoffs.
Cavaliers Wide-Open Threes Per Game This season
If you’re Miami and you try to overcompensate and live out on the perimeter, you’re opening yourself up to the Cavs interior size. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen can easily beat you inside, which is why Cleveland is a nightmare to play against.
The Cavs led the NBA in offensive rating this season, which is one the biggest reasons they’re a top-three NBA Championship odds contender. I’m betting the offense will be humming again in Game 2, helping them easily surpass 112.5 points.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
The best price we can get on the Cavs team total over 112.5 points is -104 at FanDuel. Cleveland is favored by 12 points and -700 on the moneyline in Game 2, while the total sits at 211.5.
Per the NBA public betting trends, 62.7% of Cavaliers games went over the total during the regular season, which was the highest percentage of any team.
Odds as of April 22 at DraftKings and FanDuel. See the DraftKings promo code details before signing up.
Heat vs Cavaliers Player Props
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- Heat vs Cavaliers Player Props Bet: Darius Garland Over 6.5 Assists (+120 at DraftKings)
As mentioned, one of the ways Cleveland creates so many open threes is the drive and kick ability of Garland. His lightning quick speed forces extra help, setting the Cavs up for easy buckets.
Garland only produced 5 assists in Game 1, but I expect that number to climb in Game 2. You could bet over 5.5 assists at -140 odds, or you could target the alt line of 6.5 assists at +120 odds. Garland averaged 7.5 assists in the regular season versus the Heat, and exceeded 6.5 dimes in seven of his final 10 regular season starts.
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Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
