Eastern Conference Semi-finals Game 2
To be honest, it’s confounding many an online betting veteran how the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors find themselves in this ditch.
Betting odds were supposed to be in their favour, after all. Both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers came off seven-game series against their respective opponents, giving them the advantage in terms of rest and preparation.
Still, they came up short and lost. While they still have a chance to force the ground even, Game 2 is a harder proposition. Can they pull off such a tough feat? Are they even worth your bets?
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors (May 04, 7:00 GMT +8)
The Raptors were supposed to win against the Cavaliers this year. Kyle Lowry knew it. DeMar DeRozan knew it. Dwane Casey knew it. However, LeBron James just reminded Toronto who the real King of the North is with his triple-double. The narrow 113-112 overtime loss caused emotions to flare high at the Raptors’ locker room.
What the Raptors did not anticipate was the rest of the team coming back to life. JR Smith and Kyle Korver were deadly from beyond the arc, and Tristan Thompson was extremely effective off the bench.
Dwane Casey needs to up their defence against the rest of the role players and leave LeBron to force his way to score. Moreover, the usually effective Toronto bench need to up their ante in order to match the production of the role players.
I think we’re bound to see another close game that could end in a single-possession lead. Go for Cleveland +6.00 @ 2.04.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics (May 04, 09:30 GMT +8)
The young Sixers also have problems dealing with another basketball star, but that man doesn’t even hold the basketball on the court.
Brad Stevens has done a marvellous job in turning a young team without their usual firepower into a bonafide playoff team. He turned Terry Rozier into a legitimate option for these Celtics while motivating Hayson Tatum and Al Horford to create problems.
Brett Brown has a lot of defensive adjustments to make since there’s little left to be desired on the offensive front. The young Sixer core of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons must lead the team on defence, showing energy and hustle on every possession.
I still believe the Sixers are outgunned in this duel as Stevens continues to exhibit his Shuri-like genius. However, the Sixers should be able to somewhat keep the game closer than what happened in Game 1.
Boston +1.50 @ 1.78 is the only way to go in my humble opinion.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
