NBA FINALS: GAME 2 – MIAMI @ LA LAKERS

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*Original NBA Playoff picks and research are done a game day morning, adjust your selections accordingly should spreads and lineups change.

SAME GAME MULTI

• LA LAKERS WIN

After their Game 1 dominance, and now with the Heat sans Dragic & Adebayo, I cannot see the Heat getting within a sniff near the 48 minute mark.

• OVER 206.5 TOTAL POINTS (ALT LINE)

Game 1 started out at a frantic pace, and really slowed after the half. We do like the Over 216.5 total point line, but this alternate line is a little extra filling.

• ANTHONY DAVIS 25+ POINTS (ALT LINE)

AD cruised to 34 points in the series opener starting at a 28.5 point line. Like him to continue to be the main source of points tonight, with LeBron hunting for a triple double.

• LEBRON JAMES 8+ ASSISTS (ALT LINE)

LeBron has a double-double in 7 of the Lakers’ last 8 games, and was really hunting for an assist late in Game 1 to pad the stats. Would wager my last dollar on a LeBron double-double (just hoping it’s the assists).

• JIMMY BUTLER 4+ ASSISTS (ALT LINE)

Jimmy Buckets has 7+ assists in 6 of his last 8 games with Dragic out. He’ll be the primary ball handler if nothing else, and will find Herro and Robinson beyond the arc on at least a few occasions.

ODDS – $3.66 – WIN

MIAMI @ LA LAKERS

LA LAKERS LEAD 1-0

PLAYER BETTING TRENDS

• Rajon Rondo has 7+ assists in 7 of his last 8 playoff games against the Heat. (6.5)
• LeBron James has a double-double in 7 of the Lakers’ last 8 games.
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has 11+ points in 4 of the Lakers’ last 5 games against the Heat. (10.5)
• Anthony Davis has 31+ points in the Lakers’ last 3 Game 2s of a playoff series. (29.5)
• Jimmy Butler has 7+ assists in 6 of his last 8 games with Goran Dragic out. (5.5)
• Jae Crowder has made 3+ three-pointers in 9 of the Heat’s last 13 games as underdogs. (2.5)

MATCHUP TRENDS

• Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

SEASON SERIES

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/- 

PICKS ATS

The line for the Lakers has blown out to -9.5 in Game 2 (-5.0 in Game 1) after a comfortable 116-98 Lakers win. LeBron and Co. seemed to control all aspects of the series opener despite an early Miami double digit lead, which was quickly drawn back and they were never in trouble from there, going ahead by as much as 31 points before the Heat made a small rally.

Despite a solid opening game, the Lakers are far from content heading into Game 2.

“We’ve got so much more work to do,” said LeBron James, who had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists in the win. “The job is not done, and we’re not satisfied with winning one game. It’s that simple.”

Anthony Davis had 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 points, Danny Green chipped in 11 and Alex Caruso notched up 10 points

Injuries may have just dreailed the Heat’s hopes, with Dragic (plantar fascia tear in left foot) and Adebayo (neck strain) listed as doubtful for Game 2. Both were forced to leave early in the Game 1 loss.

Dragic did not play in the 2nd half, finishing with 6 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 15 minutes. Adebayo also did not come back after leaving midway through the 3rd. He had 8 points on 2-of-8 shooting in 21 minutes.

Without Adebayo inside, the Lakers controlled the boards, outrebounding the Heat 54-36. Los Angeles also went to the line more, hitting 25 of 27 attempts to 11 of 14 for Miami.

Jimmy Butler had 23 points while Kendrick Nunn had 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the bench for the Heat.

Tyler Herro had with 14 points but made just 6-of-18 shots and 2-of-8 three-pointers. Jae Crowder added 12 points but rookie Duncan Robinson didn’t fire a shot, scoring donuts in 27 minutes of game time.

After trailing by 13 in the 1st quarter, the Lakers smoked the Heat with a 77-32 swing from midway through the 2nd quarter to the middle of the 3rd after a Davis dunk put them up 87-55.

The depth of the Heat was their best chance to make a run for this series, so if Adebayo and Dragic are less than 70% we just can’t look at them here.

Lakers should control the game, next best is Overs.

PICK  – LA LAKERS/LAKERS – HALF TIME/FULL TIME