RADIO
The Nuggets tested the Trail Blazers shooting and Portland couldn't keep up. In a complete flip from Game 1, Denver was the hot-shooting team and properly managed their pace all game without losing any efficiency, compared to the Trail Blazers who, outside of Damian Lillard, couldn't find much rhythm. The biggest difference between Game 2 and Game 1 is that when Denver got on a run, the Trail Blazers seemed helpless and players who would normally hit shots, weren't able to do anything outside of score, much like how Denver played Game 1. This series is going to come down to whichever supporting cast can play four solid games first.
For the Bucks and Heat, Miami looks hopeless when Jimmy Butler can't hit his shots. He might be a better shooter than some, but until something changes, there's little reason to waste the effort guarding him on the perimeter. That alone is holding the Heat offense back and if Butler isn't gaining momentum on offense, it seems no one is. Players like Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, and Kendrick Nunn have no choice but to embrace the extra usage and attempts they are about to receive. Luckily, for us, we get a break from these games and Tuesday offers us games from three of the most intriguing series this post-season.
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BOS @ BKN
Jayson Tatum (BOS) MORE 30.5 Points - Kevin Durant (BKN) MORE 27.5 Points
Despite anything that will come from this series, which is most likely a Nets victory in five or six games, the battle between Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant is going to create a lasting conversation. Tatum is in a situation he might not see again, assuming Jaylen Brown returns healthier than ever next season. He has no restrictions outside of whatever defense Brooklyn throws at him on each possession and the Celtics can't rely on defense for stopping the Nets. Tatum needs to score and he needs to carry his own weight every game, a challenge he doesn't seem to be shying away from in his first two playoff games, including the play-in game.
It will be hard to keep up with Kevin Durant and the rest of Brooklyn's weapons, but as long as Tatum keeps shooting and doesn't let the inefficiency get to him, points will eventually start coming. Neither player, Tatum or Durant, are projected to score under 30-points based purely of their current situations. The only potential drawback is whether or not Boston and Brooklyn decide to give their best players random, in-game rest. Maybe seeing it typed out will show you how dumb it sounds to predict the under.
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LAL @ PHX
Devin Booker (PHX) MORE 28.5 Points - LeBron James (LAL) MORE 24.5 Points
The Lakers need to play Game 2 with more urgency or they subject themselves to the abilities of Devin Booker once again. Chris Paul didn't do much in the first game of the series, but his ability to involve Deandre Ayton and disrupt Los Angeles' Game 1 plans worked to perfection. Paul suffered a shoulder injury and the Suns kept up the pressure until he was able to return and cement a Game 1 win for Phoenix. If that was the case for Game 1, not only will LeBron James be forced to step on the accelerator, but Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond need to do more against this frontcourt. Regardless if Davis and Drummond play better, the Lakers have little answer for Booker's scoring.
The same can be said for the Suns, except they are swarming the ball and not letting the Lakers bench get much going. If James and Davis both score 30-points, which is more than possible, the rest of the Lakers rotation still have to contribute. It seems Phoenix has figured out how to limit the rest of the Lakers, so expect LeBron James and Anthony Davis to do much more generating and playmaking starting with Game 2.
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DAL @ LAC
Luka Doncic (DAL) MORE 28.5 Points - Kawhi Leonard (LAC) MORE 27.5 Points
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue made a subtle announcement implying Kawhi Leonard would take on the task of guarding Luka Doncic. That seems like a great strategy, but stopping Doncic isn't a one-man job. Leonard is going to need help, and even then, Doncic finds ways to facilitate switches on defense and isolate those defenders. Doncic is going to score and even buying into the idea that Leonard will limit him, it's not likely for Doncic to see under 30-points. There's a better chance his teammates don't contribute as much as they did Game 1 and that will force Doncic to do even more than usual.
For Kawhi Leonard, who only hit one of his seven threes in Game 1 and still scored 26-points, it's going to be as tough for the Mavericks to stop him as it will for the Clippers to stop Doncic. Dallas has the upper-hand here, so the upside for Los Angeles is solely on Leonard until Paul George proves, when it matters, that he is actually one of the better players in this series. As far as bettors should be concerned, Leonard is going to be the primary source of offense.
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