Following Game 1 losses, Cavs, Rockets favoured in NBA betting at Coral

Chicago Bulls will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead over Cleveland when they meet the Cavaliers in Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday as 5.5-point road underdogs in NBA betting at Coral.

The surging Bulls stunned the heavily favoured Cavaliers in Game 1, leading from start to finish in a 99-92 victory as 4.5-point underdogs. Point guard Derrick Rose returned to his former MVP form, leading Chicago with 25 points, while power forward Pau Gasol contributed 21 points.

Chicago got the better of a Cavs squad that was missing a pair of starters, including Kevin Love, who is gone for the season following recent shoulder surgery. The Game 1 loss also ended Cleveland’s six-game SU win streak.

Despite their proven ability to put numbers in the win column, the Cavaliers continue to be somewhat of a betting disappointment, going 5-9 ATS in their last 14 contests, including three outright losses as favourites in basketball betting at Coral’s online sportsbook.

The loss also drops the Cavs to 5-5 SU in their last 10 against Chicago, extending their current ATS losing streak against the Bulls to three games.

After tallying back-to-back wins against Chicago just once in their last 20 meetings, dating back five years, Game 2 has suddenly become a must-win for Cleveland. They had become a fixture during the regular season atop the NBA championship betting odds at Coral, but now sits at 4/1, just slightly ahead of the Bulls at 5/1.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Houston Rockets (-6.5)
Los Angeles Clippers will also be gunning for a 2-0 series lead when they take on the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their Western Conference semi-final as heavy 6.5-point underdogs in NBA Playoffs betting at Coral.

Playing without point guard Chris Paul, who suffered a hamstring injury while leading the club to a thrilling 111-109 Game 7 first-round win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Clippers held the Rockets to their lowest point total of the post-season, while claiming the victory as 7.5-point underdogs.