And so Game 1 goes to the Miami Heat. They really had to work hard to capture the huge road win, as the game was ultimately decided during the overtime period. But that win’s not going to matter much in Game 2, and the Heat better be ready for a big response from the Toronto Raptors. Who will reign supreme this time around? Will the Heat head back to South Beach with a commanding 2-0 lead in this series? Or will the Raps even things up?
Read on below for a closer look at this Eastern Conference matchup. If you’re up for some baseball action as well, check out our preview of the regular-season game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
Heat vs. Raptors Game Two Round Two Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
When: Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+4.5) vs. Toronto Raptors (-4.5); total: 188.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Miami Heat
Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade, in particular, will attempt to build on their solid performance back in Game 1. Both led the way for their squad by combining for 50 points, 12 rebounds and six dimes while also shooting 48.8 percent from the floor. But don’t expect the Raptors to allow the two guards to go off on them once again.
That being said, the Heat’s supporting cast might just be the difference-maker in Game 2. Look to Josh Richardson, who racked up 11 points in the opener, to try his best to spark the team’s second unit. And if that doesn’t work, Richardson should at least be able to make a positive impact through his hustle and quickness.
Moreover, Joe Johnson and Luol Deng are bound to cause some trouble for the opposing defense as well. The two veterans were pretty productive in Game 1, posting 16 and 10 points, respectively. They also made their presence felt on the other side of the court with six steals combined.
Speaking of defense, Hassan Whiteside was held below 10 points in the same game, but he was still a big reason as to why the Heat currently own a 1-0 lead in this series. Whiteside’s presence alone made it hard for the Raptors to get easy buckets or offensive rebounds near the paint. He gobbled up a game-high of 17 rebounds along with two steals and one block.
Miami is 2-3 SU and ATS in its last five road games.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry’s miracle half-court three-pointer during the dying seconds of the final period in Game 1 was fun to watch. But it was quickly forgotten (and wasted) after the Toronto Raptors failed to deliver the goods in overtime. They were basically outscored by the Miami Heat during that extra period, 12-6.
Well, you have to hand it to the Heat’s defense as well. It did a pretty solid job in forcing Toronto to commit a total of 15 turnovers, and take low-percentage shots throughout the most part of the second half.
Moving on, the Raptors are in a very serious predicament right now. They can’t afford to head to Miami—for Game 3 and Game 4—facing a 0-2 series deficit. Hence, tonight’s Game 2 is almost like a do-or-die situation for them, and the pair of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will really have to come alive.
Lowry shot just 3-of-13 from the floor for seven points in the opener. He did manage to create some opportunities for his teammates with a game-high of six assists. DeRozan, on the other hand, had a decent performance with 22 points, six boards and four dimes. He’s got to take better shot selections and make better decisions, however.
In the case that Lowry or DeRozan plays poorly again, the onus is definitely on the Raps’ main man in the middle—Jonas Valanciunas. There’s no doubt that he’s been the most consistent player for the team right now. Valanciunas, who posted 24 points and 14 boards in Game 1, is averaging 14.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 52.2 percent from the field this postseason.
Toronto is 3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS in its previous five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Raps (-4.5) prevail in Game 2, 103-96.
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