Wednesday’s NBA playoff action features two Game 2 battles, with both matchups showcasing 1-vs-8 seed pairings. The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Boston Celtics welcome the Miami Heat to their home court, carrying a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite the Celtics’ commanding performance in Game 1, the Heat aim to bounce back and make the contest more competitive. Miami’s hopes rest heavily on Bam Adebayo’s continued offensive production, while Boston’s Jayson Tatum will look to maintain his strong rebounding performance against the Heat.
In the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Oklahoma City Thunder, determined to level the series at 1-1. Despite Zion Williamson’s absence, the Pelicans have demonstrated a robust defense, limiting opponents to a meager 101.5 points per game. The Thunder, known for their defensive prowess, will strive to replicate their Game 1 performance, where they held the Pelicans to a low-scoring output. CJ McCollum, a key contributor for New Orleans, has a history of impactful performances on the boards, both in games without Williamson and against the Thunder.
Statistically, Tatum has averaged 9.0 rebounds per game against the Heat this season, including 10 boards in each of his last two outings. Adebayo, on the other hand, has consistently scored against the Celtics, averaging 22.7 points per game with at least 19 points in every matchup. McCollum has averaged 5.0 rebounds per game in games without Williamson and at least five rebounds in five of his last six such games. Against the Thunder, he has averaged 7.7 rebounds per game, with at least six rebounds in all three regular season contests.
