The Celtics and Cavaliers will square off in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals this Saturday, the 20th of May. The Cavs rebounding advantage was on display as they punished the Celtics in Game 1. The 117-104 score line doesn’t justify the Cavs dominance throughout the game, especially on the glass as Tristan Thompson collected six offensive rebounds and the Cavs 3pt shot continued to fall.
Thompson managed 9 rebounds in 7 minutes of play and then failed to capture another for the rest of the game, we think he easily hits his overs in Game 2.
TIP: Tristan Thompson over 10.5 rebounds - $1.78 at Sportsbet
Kevin Love made six 3pt shots as the Cavs drained 11 as a team to sink the Celtics. LeBron James continued his ridiculous form in the playoffs with another massive performance of 38pts, 9reb and 7ast. The Celtics lacked the defensive prowess to corral James, trying Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder on the star small forward before rookie Jaylen Brown had some small success late in the game.
Boston Coach Brad Stevens could opt to start Brown in Game 2 in an attempt to stem the production of James or go small with Al Horford at centre. One thing that will definitely need to improve for the Celtics is the offence of Isaiah Thomas. While the star PG did have 10 assists in Game 1, he wasn’t dangerous at all on the score sheet with just 17 points on 19 shots as Iman Shumpert and Deron Williams played some lockdown defence on him.
TIP: Isaiah Thomas UNDER 27.5 points - $1.80 at Sportsbet
Even at home, it’s hard to picture a scenario where the Celtics can even win a game in this series. The Cavs have almost reached the level of play that saw them win last years Championship and are beginning to peak at the perfect time, LeBron James especially.
It seems we almost write the King off every year, saying that his regular season wasn’t fantastic and that all the minutes his played over his career are catching up to him, but year after year he proves us wrong with dominant performances in the playoffs. I’m over writing him off, Cavs go 2-0 behind LeBron here.
TIP: LeBron James to score 33+ points and Cavs to win - $3 at Ladbrokes
