NBA Playoffs 2020: Previewing Thursday's four-game slate of postseason action

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#Game2 Preview

It's been an exciting start to the 2020 postseason, with no shortage of surprise results. 

The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers' opening game defeats marked the first time since 2003 that both no.1 seeds have lost their opening first-round games. 

Day 4 features another four-game slate, with the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat both looking to go up 2-0 in their respective series'. We've got you covered with a rundown of Thursday's slate and what's at stake in each of the games: 

All win probabilities are per FiveThirtyEight's NBA Predictions model. All times in E.T.

Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat - Game 2 @ 1:00 p.m. on TSN 1/4/5

 

Win probability: Heat 59%

Despite their Game 1 loss, the Pacers will take plenty of confidence into Game 2. Already without All-Star Domantas Sabonis and after Victor Oladipo exited the game in the first quarter with an eye injury, they were still in the game late in the fourth quarter.

Oladipo was officially listed as questionable for Game 2 on the injury report, with the Pacers optimistic he will make it back to help them try and level the series.

The Heat will need another big game from Jimmy Butler, who took over down the stretch in Game 1, scoring 10 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets - Game 2 @ 3:30 p.m. on TSN 1/4/5

Win probability: Rockets 68%

Expect another big performance from James Harden as the Rockets will be without Russell Westbrook again for Game 2 (right quad strain).

OKC will be looking for their three-guard lineup to come out aggressively in Game 2 after they struggled to get going in their opening defeat. The trio of Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for just 35 points in Game 1, 20 of which came from Paul.

The Rockets outscored the Thunder 44-38 in the paint, doing their best to keep big man Steven Adams out of the paint on both ends, but will they be able to neutralise the Thunder's size advantage two games in a row?

Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks - Game 2 @ 6:00 p.m. on TSN 1/4

Win probability: Lakers 74%

The Bucks suffered an upset loss in Game 1, thanks to a well-oiled defensive effort from the Magic. Orlando limited Milwaukee's transition buckets (10 points) and punished their turnovers, creating 25 points. 

Will they be able to bring that same defensive intensity in Game 2?

The Bucks will be looking for Khris Middleton to create more scoring after the All-Star managed just 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-6 from three.  As a team, the Bucks converted 14 of their 42 attempts from beyond the arc.

Aaron Gordon, who missed Game 1 (strained left hamstring) has been listed as questionable for Game 2, while Michael Carter-Williams (strained tendon, left foot) remains doubtful.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers - Game 2 @ 9:00 p.m. on TSN Network

Win probability: Lakers 74%

Can the Blazers go up 2-0 on the no.1 seed Lakers? 

They will take plenty of confidence from Game 1 after they held the Lakers to just 93 points, and all eyes will be on Damian Lillard, who continued his scorching form in the bubble with 34 points.

The Blazers will be without Zach Collins for Game 2, with the big man set to be re-evaluated in a week. Collins underwent a follow-up MRI and was diagnosed with a stress reaction injury in his left ankle.

Meanwhile, the Lakers find themselves in unexpected territory, down 1-0 against the Blazers and will look to bounce back after a rough shooting night. They hit just 5-of-32 from the 3-point line in Game 1.

Anthony Davis struggled from the field, shooting 8-of-24 on in the loss and Lakers will need him at his best against the Blazers' big frontline in Game 2.

Rajon Rondo was upgraded to 'questionable' for Game 2, per ESPN after missing five-and-a-half weeks with a fractured thumb in his right hand.

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Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.