NBA Playoffs: Cavs vs Pistons, Lakers vs Thunder Betting Previews
NBA Playoffs Betting Preview — Semifinals
The two No. 1 seeds in this year’s NBA Playoffs had little trouble grabbing a “W” in Game 1 of their respective semifinals series on Tuesday night. Detroit dumped Cleveland, 111-101, and the Thunder clobbered the Lakers, 108-90. Game 2 of each series is set for Thursday night. Here’s a betting preview of both matchups.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
After going down 3-1 in their first-round series against the Magic, the Pistons have now rattled off four straight playoff wins. Detroit’s defense was on point in Game 1, forcing 20 Cleveland turnovers, seven of those credited to James Harden. The Pistons are -3 favorites at Fanatics Sportsbook for Game 2, played at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit was -3.5 in Game 1 and covered. The Pistons are now 4-4-0 against the spread this postseason, while Cleveland is 3-5-0 ATS. Detroit and Cleveland went 4.5 points Under the projected 216.5 total in Game 1, with the O/U set for 215.5 at Fanatics for Game 2. Cavs games have gone Over five times and Under three times so far this postseason, while Pistons games have gone Over three times and Under five times. Cade Cunningham’s points O/U is set at 27.5 for Game 2, as he tallied 23 points in Game 1. Donovan Mitchell’s points O/U at Fanatics has been set at 24.5; he scored 23 points in Game 1.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
All signs are pointing toward an Oklahoma City sweep in this series. JJ Redick’s squad has not been competitive with OKC all season long, as the Thunder won all four regular-season games with the Lakers by an average of 29.3 points. OKC won by 18 in Game 1. Austin Reaves had a particularly rough night for the Lakers in Game 1, going 3-for-16 from the field, including 0-for-5 from three-point territory. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder in scoring in Game 1 with 24 points. OKC is a whopping -15.5 favorite for Game 2. The Thunder are 3-2-0 against the spread in the playoffs thus far, while the Lakers are 4-3-0 ATS in the postseason thus far. Fanatics Sportsbook has the Over/Under for Lakers vs. Thunder Game 2 set at 209.5, juiced toward the Over, as the two teams combined for just 198 points in Game 1. Lakers playoff games in the 2026 postseason so far have gone Over twice and Under five times, while OKC postseason games this year have gone Over three times and Under two times. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a rough outing in Game 1 by his standards, scoring just 18 points and committing seven turnovers. His points O/U for Game 2 has been set at 29.5 by Fanatics. LeBron James’ O/U for Game 2 has been at 20.5; he scored 27 points in Game 1.
