NBA Playoff Preview: Miami at Toronto, Game 2

On Thursday night, the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors square off in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal round. The Heat needed overtime to knock off the Raptors on the road, prevailing 102-96 after the Raptors wasted a buzzer-beater from halfcourt from Kyle Lowry that tied matters up at the end of the fourth quarter. Find out more about the updated NBA betting lines here.

NBA Playoff Preview: Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors, Game 2

When: Thursday, May 5, 8:00pm Eastern time Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto TV: ESPN Radio: Sportsnet 590 AM The Fan Toronto Live Stream: NBA-Stream.com NBA Odds: TBA    

Why should you bet on Miami?

The Heat used their usual inside-out formula for dominance to get the win. Hassan Whiteside controlled the paint, pulling down 17 rebounds. Goran Dragic posted 26 points, and Dwyane Wade added 24 (7 in overtime). Meanwhile, the Raptors did not score for the first 3:46 of the five-minute overtime frame. If the Heat keep controlling the Raptors offense, then they should be able to win Game 2 as well. After all, Lowry can’t keep knocking shots down from the other side of halfcourt, can he?

Why should you put your money on the Raptors?

Toronto was down by six with 20 seconds left to go in the fourth quarter, and they came back to tie it thanks to Lowry’s incredible shot. A pair of dunks brought the game within three, and then the Raptors hit the big shot to tie. So the Raptors were still able to get stops when they needed them. The problem was on offense, as Lowry had no points in the first half and finished the game 3 for 13 for the game (including that huge shot). DeMar DeRozan, the other All-Star guard, didn’t shoot well either (9 for 22) — and the Raptors still almost won. If those two are on, the only team in the East that can deal with them is Cleveland. But will they show up for Game 2?

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like the Raptors to figure out their shooting woes and deliver a series-tying win in Game 2. I’m predicting a 99-91 Toronto win.