Game 2 of the series was almost a carbon copy of the opener, as Cleveland came back to take a two-point lead in the fourth quarter only to go cold offensively down the stretch to see Detroit run away for a 97-107 win. That puts Cleveland down 0-2. As the series now heads to Rocket Arena, they’re going to need a lot more from James Harden if they are to prevail in this matchup. The veteran guard shot just 3/13 from the floor and had four turnovers to finish the night with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists to be a -15. Evan Mobley was also poor offensively with just 9 points, one rebound and assists, although he did add three steals and three blocks. Donovan Mitchell was the standout performer for the visitors as he dropped 31 points on 55.4% TS% and Jarrett Allen bounced back from his poor Game 1 to have 22 points and seven boards and add real impact, but Cleveland’s offence never looked comfortable with Harden at the helm, and that resulted in a 0-2 hole to begin this series.
It was on the defensive end that Detroit won this game again, finishing with a 107.8 defensive rating and managing to completely lock down the visitors in the final 4:30, limiting them to just six points. Tobias Harris was excellent on that end and also provided some crucial points in the fourth to finish with 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and even Duncan Robinson had some key defensive contributions, but Cade Cunningham was Detroit’s best again, notching up 25 points, 10 assists and two blocks to steer his team home. Robinson hit another five three-pointers to continue his great shooting postseason and Daniss Jenkins played another key role off the bench with 14 points and four assists.
This game is essentially a do-or-die for Cleveland and given how good they were at home in the first round, they should get the job done on Sunday. Their four wins at home against Toronto came by an average of 10 points and while Detroit are a clear step up, I will be shocked if Cleveland don’t get another win at Rocket Arena in Game 3. I expect Mitchell to be the one that the visitors turn to in the clutch this time around, and that will make for a positive result for the hosts.
The Lakers were again outclassed in Game 2, losing 107-125 despite a much improved performance from Austin Reaves. The star guard shook off his horror shooting night in G1 to drop 31 points on 76% TS%, but his five turnovers were part of Los Angeles’ problem, with the team racking up a game-altering 20 turnovers. That resulted in 26 points off turnovers for OKC, as the game really got away from LA in the third quarter in a 22-36 period. That was part of a terrible defensive game for JJ Redick’s side, with a 126.5 defensive rating, as the likes of Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard all had terrible moments on that end. LeBron James finished with 23 points, six assists and three steals and Hachimura hit another four threes on his way to 16 points, but forgettable showings from Deandre Ayron, Jaxson Hayes and Jake LaRavia made it another loss in this series.
Oklahoma City were again happy not to rely on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 2, as Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell starred to lead the defending champs to victory. Holmgren racked up 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks in another elite two-way performance and Mitchell put up 20 points and six assists as part of a game-changing cameo in the third quarter. SGA had 22 points and Isaiah Hartenstein was reliable again with 10 points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks in the victory. OKC’s dogged defence was crucial to the win yet again and their ability to limit LA’s transition opportunities saw Los Angeles fall away once more in the second half.
A loss for the Lakers in this game effectively ends their season but I can’t see any other result playing out. OKC haven’t even played particularly well so far this series and have still made the two wins look easy, and I am picking another straightforward victory for the visitors.