The NBA playoffs resume this Thursday, as two crucial Game 2s take center stage tonight — and our NBA betting expert Joe Dellera has identified a pair of player prop picks showing significant value in Game 2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.
Let's get into the breakdown of his two NBA player prop picks for Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Duren on Thursday, May 7.
NBA Prop Picks for Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prop Picks: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell Over 24.5 Points (-105) / 30+ Points (+255)
I’m targeting Donovan Mitchell Over 24.5 Points (-105 at bet365) and sprinkled a little on 30+ Points (+255).
Mitchell had a rough series against the Raptors in the previous round, but Game 1 against Detroit showed some real signs of life. He played much better than the final box score suggested; the only thing missing was the "easy" points. He finished with just two free-throw attempts, which is an anomaly for him.
After some pointed post-game comments about the lack of whistles, you have to wonder if it will lead to more free throw attempts this time around.
Mitchell has historically feasted against the Pistons, hanging 35 and 30 on them during the regular season.
There’s also a tactical wrinkle to watch: if Sam Merrill is forced to miss this game, it could open up even more shot opportunities for Mitchell (as insane as that sounds).
Merrill takes a lot of those secondary perimeter looks. Without him, the Cavs will be forced to lean even more heavily on Mitchell’s individual shot creation from long-range.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 24.5 Points (-105) / 30+ Points (+255)
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prop Bet: Jalen Duren
Jalen Duren Over 11.5 Rebounds (-107)
Jalen Duren’s offensive output can be a bit of a roller coaster, but his rebounding floor is remarkably stable because of the sheer volume of opportunities he creates.
In Game 1, Duren tallied THIRTY-ONE (31) rebound chances. That is an absolutely outrageous number—among the highest we’ve seen in any playoff game this year.
The matchup history backs this up beautifully. In his last three games against Cleveland, Duren has hauled in 16, 14, and 12 rebounds respectively.
The Cavaliers' insistence on playing their double-big lineup with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen actually works in our favor here. Against that kind of size, Duren is a schematic necessity for Detroit; they can’t afford to go small and get bullied, which ensures Duren stays on the floor for heavy minutes.
Duren might struggle to score over the towers in the paint, but the projected minutes make him a good bet to grab a bunch of rebounds.
Pick: Jalen Duren Over 11.5 Rebounds (-107)
