Thursday night is shaping up to be a must-watch for basketball fans, as two of the NBA's biggest brands find themselves in early playoff holes. The old saying goes that a series doesn't truly start until the home team loses, and both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are hoping that rings true tonight.

Cleveland heads into Detroit down 1-0 after a heartbreaking Game 1. The Cavaliers were tied with the Pistons with just five minutes left, only to see Detroit close on an 18-8 run. For Cleveland, the culprit was clear: James Harden's vintage "Playoff Harden" performance—seven turnovers and 6-of-15 shooting. In fact, Harden's 43 turnovers through eight postseason games mark the fourth-highest total in that span since the stat became official in 1978. The Cavs are 3.5-point underdogs tonight, but the SportsLine Projection Model gives Detroit just a 64% chance to cover, suggesting this could be closer than the line implies.

Out West, the Lakers face an even steeper climb. Los Angeles is down 1-0 to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and are massive 15.5-point underdogs for Game 2. The Lakers hung tough early in the opener but were down 19 by the third minute of the fourth quarter and never recovered. For a team looking to steal a game on the road, they'll need a near-perfect effort against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company.

For bettors, one name to watch is Tobias Harris. Expert Mike Barner points out that Harris is averaging 36 minutes and nearly 17 shots per game in the playoffs, making his over 17.5 total points line an intriguing play. "The increased usage rate is important to note because he is generally an efficient scorer," Barner notes.

Beyond the hardwood, Thursday also features one NHL playoff game and a full MLB slate, giving sports fans plenty of action to follow. Whether you're tracking the Pistons' push for a 2-0 lead or hoping the Lakers can shock the world, tonight's games have the makings of a memorable postseason evening.