NBA DFS Picks for the Playoffs: Heat vs Cavaliers – Game 2

The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are back at it tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup. After stealing the momentum with a 1–0 series lead in Game 1, Cleveland is looking to defend home court again, while Miami desperately needs to bounce back before the series shifts to South Florida.

This is a new chapter for the Heat. With Jimmy Butler now on the Golden State Warriors, Miami has reshaped its identity around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. The core still features the toughness and structure we’ve come to expect from an Erik Spoelstra team, but there’s no denying that this version of the Heat is younger, less battle-tested and still adjusting to the bright lights of playoff basketball without their long-time closer.

Let’s look closely at what went down in Game 1 and what both teams need to focus on as we head into a critical Game 2.

Heat vs Cavaliers Game 1 Recap

Game 1 was a tight contest through the first three quarters, with the Heat briefly taking the lead late in the first. However, the Cavaliers’ size and defensive intensity gradually wore Miami down. Bam Adebayo stood out for the Heat, scoring 24 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists in a stellar performance. Adebayo was aggressive on both ends, providing Miami with the offensive spark it needed.

Tyler Herro also played a solid role, finishing with 21 points. Herro was 5-12 from the floor in the first half but finished the game just 7-18 from the floor. Cleveland switched up their coverage on Herro in the second half, making things tough on him.

While Adebayo and Herro did what they could, Miami’s offense faltered late in the game. They committed 14 turnovers, which Cleveland capitalized on to generate fast-break points and shift the momentum. 

On the other end, Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome were simply too much for Miami to handle in the second half. Mitchell finished with 31 points, while Ty Jerome finished with 28 points and knocked down all three of his three-point attempts in the fourth quarter while leading the Cavaliers’ late-game charge. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were also key contributors, dominating the paint with 18 combined rebounds and defending the rim effectively. Mitchell’s ability to create offense and execute in the clutch proved to be the difference-maker in the game, along with Ty Jerome’s secondary scoring.

Heat vs Cavaliers Game 2 DFS Picks

Heading into Game 2, Miami knows adjustments are essential, starting with how they defend Donovan Mitchell. Expect the Heat to send more traps, blitzes or even zone looks to disrupt Cleveland’s late-game flow. But committing too much to Mitchell could open the floor for Garland, Jerome, Mobley and corner shooters.

Offensively, the Heat must lean more into Adebayo’s versatility. Running more actions through him at the elbows or in the short roll could help create better looks for shooters like Robinson and Andrew Wiggins, who showed flashes of confidence in Game 1. Herro, meanwhile, needs to stay aggressive but more selective with his shot choices, especially under duress.

From a DFS and prop betting standpoint, Donovan Mitchell remains the top option. He’s the Cavs’ primary scorer and late-game closer, and unless Miami radically changes its defensive coverages, he’s in line for another big outing. Bam Adebayo, however, is a strong value play—he led Miami in points, touched the ball on nearly every possession and will likely have even more usage in Game 2.

Donovan Mitchell thrives in the postseason spotlight, and Game 1 was a reminder of how dangerous he can be down the stretch. If the Heat can’t contain him early—or generate more consistent offense themselves—they risk heading home down 0–2 against a team that’s peaking at the right time. 

Our Pick: Donovan Mitchell to Record 27+ Points