The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday night at Rocket Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30PM ET. Cleveland leads the series 1-0 after a strong finish in Game 1 helped them win 121-100.
The Cavaliers are the top seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season 64-18. Miami grabbed the 10th spot with a 37-45 record. Cleveland has now won three of the last five meetings between these teams. Miami will try to even the series before heading back home for Game 3.
Cavaliers Preview – Backcourt Dominates Game 1
Cleveland’s guards set the tone in the first game. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points and had 4 steals. Darius Garland added 27 points with 5 assists, while Ty Jerome came off the bench to score 28, including 16 in the fourth quarter alone.
Jarrett Allen played well inside with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Evan Mobley only had 9 points and 7 rebounds, but the team didn’t need more thanks to the guards. Cleveland shot well from three and forced the Heat into tough shots most of the night.
The Cavaliers only had 21 assists on 45 made baskets, but they made up for it with defense and shot-making. Jerome’s performance off the bench was one of the best in team playoff history. Cleveland will look to keep that pace going in Game 2 at home, where they are 35-7 this season.
Heat Preview – More Support Needed Behind Adebayo
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 24 points and 9 rebounds in Game 1. Tyler Herro added 21, and Davion Mitchell had 18 off the bench. Miami trailed by just 8 going into the fourth quarter before getting outscored 27-14 to end the game.
Miami shot just 43% from the field and got limited production outside its top three scorers. Rookie Kel’el Ware struggled with 2 points and 3 rebounds in his playoff debut. The team also missed guard Terry Rozier and forward Kevin Love, both out for Game 2.
The Heat must improve on defense, especially against Cleveland’s ball movement and three-point shooting. They’ve allowed over 120 points in back-to-back games against the Cavs. Miami also needs more from Alec Burks and Andrew Wiggins, who combined for just 20 points in Game 1.
Betting Prediction
Cleveland is a 12.5-point favorite with the total set at 212.0. The Cavs have covered in four of the last six games against the Heat. They’re also one of the best home teams in the NBA this season and had no injuries entering Game 2.
Miami is missing key pieces and has struggled to contain Cleveland’s guards. Unless Adebayo and Herro get more help, the Heat could fall behind 0-2. Cleveland should win and cover again at home in another high-scoring game.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -12.5 over Miami Heat
The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to go ahead in this series 2-0. Cleveland is really good, and the Heat are just in the playoffs, because they are the 8th best team in the East. The Cavaliers win this game, and win it big. Take Cleveland at home.
