Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat

In Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Cleveland Cavaliers' backcourt was dominant, with three guards scoring 27 points or more. Darius Garland, who scored 27 points and nailed five of the 18 three-pointers Cleveland shot in its 21-point victory over the Miami Heat, had one of those hot hands.

Miami's defensive strategy will likely change for Wednesday's Game 2, with a focus on perimeter defense. I view this as a chance for Garland to create plays.

The three scoring pillars which included Darius Garland combined with Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome provided Cleveland’s total scoring output in Game 1.

The Heat players will focus additional defensive attention on outside shooters due to the Cavs making 18 threes during which their trio of players drained 12 of them in Game 1. The Miami defense raises its feet above the three-point line which Garland could take advantage by attacking through the defense.

During the season Garland maintains a top attacking guard status by earning the 12th spot in drive rate. His ability to penetrate opposition defenders stands out as Garland's greatest asset because he dominates both paint and defensive collapse situations. As a result he can either pass the ball to open shooters or give it to Cleveland's two big men who enjoy superior height advantages over Miami's smaller personnel.

Garland delivered five assists during Game 1 while averaging 6.5 dimes typically throughout the season but primarily focused on scoring in that first game of the series. Throughout the season Garland averaged approximately seven assists yet before the postseason he achieved six or more assists during 15 out of his final 20 regular season games.

According to Game 2 projections Garland should produce seven assists but I predict a total of 6.8 assists. The predicted 6.8 assists for Garland leads to a recommended Over 5.5 odds of -200 thus making the -145 vig more acceptable.
Analysts predict Garland will make seven assists in the middle of the paint area due to his passing ability during Game 2.

The inside presence of Jarrett Allen should improve in Game 2 based on projection models which predict him to reach at least 13 points.