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The Cleveland Cavaliers were messy in the series opener versus the Detroit Pistons.
Think “James Harden’s beard after eating ribs” kind of messy.
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Game 2 of this Eastern Conference semifinal tips off tonight, and my Cavaliers vs. Pistons props expect a cleaner effort from Cleveland and more halfcourt action because of it.
That boils down to my best NBA picks for Game 2 on Thursday, May 7.
Best Cavaliers vs Pistons props for Game 2
Player
Pick
James Harden
Over 6.5 assists
-112
Jalen Duren
Over 15.5 points
+100
Donovan Mitchell
Over 2.5 threes
-115
Game 2 Prop #1: James Harden Over 6.5 assists
-112 at bet365
James Harden pointed the finger at himself following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 1. The Cavs guard had seven turnovers to seven assists in the opener. Yuck.
Those miscues combined with cold shooting from Cleveland left Harden’s 14 potential assists to shrivel up and die. And losing Jarrett Allen to foul trouble early also threw a wrench in the Cavaliers’ schemes.
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Game 2 could see a shake up in the starting lineup, with Max Strus replacing Dean Wade and giving Cleveland more spot-up threats for Harden to find in drive-and-kick sets. If Allen can stay on the floor, he also benefits from the point guard’s playmaking.
Projections for Harden aren’t bullish on his assist output but do lean toward seven or more dimes in Game 2, with forecasts ranging from 6.1 to 7.3 assists. With fewer wasted possessions and improved fluidity on offense, Harden tops his passing prop.
Game 2 Prop #2: Jalen Duren Over 15.5 points
+100 at bet365
Jalen Duren’s box score from Game 1 doesn’t exactly tell you how troublesome the Pistons’ beefy forward is for the Cavaliers.
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Duren got Allen into early foul trouble and dominated the glass with 12 rebounds. Offensively, he finished just 4-for-11 from the field for 11 points, staying below his closing point total of 16.5 O/U. He’s gone Under in that prop market in seven of his first eight postseason outings.
While Duren has…
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Publish date : 2026-05-07 14:07:00
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