The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers face off in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. All eyes will be on reigning MVP Joe Embiid, who suffered a knee injury in Game 1. Without cable, fans can watch the series online using live TV streaming services such as DirecTV Stream, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV.
The Boston Celtics secured a 20-point victory in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat. While the team showcased their superior skills, concerns emerged about complacency and a lack of ruthlessness in closing out the game. With injuries plaguing other contenders, the Celtics must capitalize on their health advantage and avoid giving the Heat any opportunities to gain momentum.
In his analysis of Game 2 of the NBA playoffs, Vaughn Dalzell provides his betting picks for the Magic at Cavaliers and Nuggets hosting the Lakers matchups. He believes the Cavaliers will cover the spread and possibly sweep the series against Orlando, while the Nuggets will win by double digits over the Lakers.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are questionable for the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. Maxey is listed as potentially out with an illness, while Embiid is recovering from a left knee injury. The Knicks lead the series 1-0.
After a dominant defensive performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to maintain their momentum as they host the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on April 22. Despite a sloppy offensive outing, the Cavs managed to secure a 97-83 victory, holding the Magic to a meager 83 points, the lowest by a Cavs opponent in the playoffs since 2018. The Magic, led by Paolo Banchero’s 24 points, will need to improve their offensive efficiency and rely on their bench to make an impact.
The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers face off in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night. The Cavaliers won the opener, 97-83, and are favored by 5.5 points in Game 2. The projected over/under for the game is 203 points. Donovan Mitchell is the key player to watch for the Cavaliers, while Paolo Banchero is the top scorer for the Magic.
Despite a rollercoaster performance in Game 1 against the Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers remain confident. Led by head coach Nick Nurse, the team is implementing adjustments to improve consistency and address their rebounding struggles. With a strong defense as a foundation, the 76ers are optimistic about their chances in Game 2.
The Orlando Magic will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on Monday, April 22, 2024. The game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, and will start at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on NBA TV, or via a live stream on Sling TV or DirecTV Stream.
In the opening weekend of the playoffs, home-court advantage has been a key factor. All eight home teams won their Game 1 matchups, marking the first time since 2013 that home teams have gone undefeated in the first round.
The Celtics are currently the favorites to win the championship, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. They are listed at +125, ahead of defending champion Denver (+275). Next up: the Los Angeles Clippers (+1300), Milwaukee (+1400), Oklahoma City (+1600) and Minnesota (+1800).
In their first playoff matchup as former teammates, Harden led the Clippers to a win over Irving’s Mavericks in Game 1. Both players praised each other’s performances, reflecting on their brief time together in Brooklyn. Harden’s strong showing without Kawhi Leonard highlights his ability to step up in key moments, while Irving and the Mavericks hope to bounce back in Game 2.
Following their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has challenged his teammates to bring back the momentum they had earlier in the season. Doncic admitted that he should have been more aggressive in the first half of their opening game, and emphasized the importance of playing with the same energy and ball movement that led them to a strong finish in the regular season.
