Tuesday NBA playoff betting - Cavs, Blazers, Lakers poised for wins

NBA betting odds fans saw a few surprises in the opening games of the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets all won the road, stealing home court advantage. Let’s breakdown the sportsbook odds for Tuesday’s contests, as the Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers all look to take a 2-0 chokehold in their respective series.

NBA playoff odds: home teams will get it done on Tuesday

• Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Houston Rockets at Portland Trailblazers
• Utah Jazz at L.A. Lakers

Pistons vs Cavs odds: Game 2, Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET at the Quicken Loans Arena
Line: Lakers -11.5

The Detroit Pistons, who have been one of the most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference this decade, were completely dismantled in Game 1, leaving many Pistons betting fans wondering if their team will even put up a fight in this series. Defense was the key to their rise, but it now appears the reason for their downfall.

For starters, the Pistons simply have no answer for LeBron James, who went for 38 points on 53 percent shooting. On top of that, four other Cavaliers hit double figures scoring.

Not only have the Pistons failed to get stops, they’ve struggled to score baskets at the other end. Although it may have gone unnoticed in the Game 1 blowout, Detroit managed just 39 second half points.

There isn’t much reason to believe things will change for Game 2. Bet on the Cavaliers.

Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds: Game 2, Tuesday at 10:05 p.m. ET at the Rose Garden
Line: Blazers -5.5

The Houston Rockets lost their home court advantage down the stretch of the regular season but, with their Game 1 lambasting of the Portland Trail Blazers, the Rockets have stolen it back for the time being.

The Rockets hold a decided edge in playoff experience in comparison to the young Trail Blazers, who were clearly nervous in Game 1.

Several Trail Blazers were making their playoff debut, which led to the team’s most lopsided defeat of the season (108-81). The Rockets starters outscored Portland’s starters 94-43, as many of the Blazers starters were benched for the fourth quarter.

While the Blazers were nervous in Game 1, they won’t be on Tuesday—instead, expect desperation mode. If they lose on Tuesday, the series will be over for all intents and purposes, so look for a much more inspired, poised effort from Portland with its playoff life on the line. Bet on the Blazers.

Jazz vs Lakers odds: Game 2, Tuesday at 10:35 p.m. ET at the Staples Center
Line: Lakers -11.5

The Los Angeles Lakers ran the Utah Jazz off the court on Sunday and the result on Tuesday may not be much different. The Jazz were down by 22 points at halftime and, even though the Lakers took their foot off the gas in the second half, they still won by 13.

While it’s true the Jazz have really struggled at the Staples Center, losing nine straight games there, the more ominous sign is that the team has now lost eight of its last 10 games.

The stats don’t look good for the Jazz in this series. Phil Jackson’s teams are 41-0 when winning Game 1. Worse yet, only three No. 8 seeds have ever upset a No. 1 seed in NBA history, and only one of those did so after losing Game 1. Bet on the Lakers.

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Craig Parsons is an avid sports fan, but his true love has always been basketball. Too short to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, he did the next best thing: sports betting and covering basketball for a living. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.