Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
The Celtics have a chance to close out this first-round series with the Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Boston leads the series 3-1 and is the heavy favorite heading into game five. The over/under line is at 203.5, and the Celtics are favored by 15 points. Boston is -1368 on the money line compared to the Cavaliers at +784. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET from TD Garden and is being televised on TNT.
Check out BetCoco for Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers odds
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Heading into this week’s matchup, the Celtics have the edge in their recent matchups against Cleveland, posting a record of 2-1. In the last three games Boston is averaging 103 points per game compared to 104 for the Cavaliers.
- In their last three games away from home, the Cavaliers have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 103 points per game in these contests.
- Boston has played well in their previous five home games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 102 points per game while allowing 94. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
- Through their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 1-2.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
The Celtics picked up a 109-102 road win over the Cavaliers in the most recent game of this series. Boston came into the game favored by 11.5 points and failed to cover the spread. The 211 combined points surpassed the over/under line of 204 points. Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 33 points and also added 11 rebounds. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 30 points.
Boston got off to a good start in this game, outscoring the Cavaliers 37-30 in the first quarter. The Celtics held an 88-78 lead heading into the 4th quarter. Boston’s defense held the Cavaliers to just 43.6% shooting from the field. Cleveland did knock down 15 threes, which was above their season average. The Celtics made 12 threes and shot 37.5% from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers are 12-24 as the underdog this season and have lost their last two games as the underdog. On average, they have been outscored by 6.7 points per game in these games.
In their last game against the Celtics, the Cavaliers lost by a score of 109-102. They were 11.5-point underdogs going into the game and covered the spread. The O/U line for the game was 204 points.
This season, the Cavaliers have an O/U record of 46-46-1, and their games have averaged 220.3 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 203.5 points.
Cleveland is 43-38 against the spread this season, including a road ATS record of 20-24. As the underdog, they are 16-19 ATS on the road and 12-24 as the underdog overall.
In the Eastern Conference standings, the Cavaliers are currently in 4th place with a record of 48-34. In their division, they are in 2nd place with a record of 11-5.
Donovan Mitchell has been carrying the Cavaliers offense of late, averaging 33.5 points per game in his last four games. This has come while hitting 4.5 threes per contest. Darius Garland is averaging 17 points per game in his last five games. Evan Mobley has been hitting the glass, averaging 11.2 rebounds in his last five games.
For the season, the Cavaliers are 23rd in the NBA in scoring at 112.6 points per game. They have been even worse on the road, at 109.2 points per game. Cleveland is 24th in pace, averaging 97 possessions per contest.
On the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving up 109.3 points per game, which is 7th best in the NBA. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, they are 4th in the league at 46.2%. From beyond the arc, Cleveland is 10th in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 36.5%.
Over their last five games, the Cavs’ defense has been even better, giving up just 104.6 points per game. During this stretch, opponents have made just 34% of their three-point attempts.
On the year, opposing teams have scored less than their season average in 74.4% of games vs. Cleveland. In terms of made threes, opponents have made fewer threes than their season average in 67.1% of games vs. the Cavs.
In their most recent game, the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers by a score of 109-102. This win improved their record to 64-18, which is the best in the Eastern Conference.
Looking at their ATS record, the Celtics are 47-40 this season. At home, they are 25-19 ATS compared to 22-21 on the road. Today, they are favored by 15 points.
Boston’s O/U record for the season is 47-43-1, and their games have averaged a combined 227.3 points. Today’s O/U line is set at 203.5.
As the favorite, the Celtics have won their last two games and have a record of 69-18 this season. Against the spread, they are 45-38 as the favorite and have an average scoring margin of +12 points per game.
In games against Eastern Conference opponents, the Celtics are 41-11 compared to 23-7 against the West. Their ATS record against the East is 22-21 on the road and 25-19 at home.
This season, the Celtics are leading the league in three-point attempts, getting up 42.5 attempts per game. They have also been efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 38% of their threes, which is the 2nd best mark in the NBA. Overall, they are 2nd in scoring, at 120.6 points per game.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.9 points per game this season and 25 points and 10.8 rebounds in his last five games. Jaylen Brown has been hot of late, shooting 60.5% from the field and averaging 26.2 points in his last five games. Derrick White has averaged 15.4 points per game in his last five games for the Mavericks.
When it comes to defense, the Celtics have been one of the best units in the NBA this season, ranking 3rd in points allowed per game at 108.0. Over their last five games, they have been even better, giving up just 98.4 points per contest.
One area where the Celtics have been especially effective is at the free-throw line, as they are giving up the fewest made free-throws per game in the league at 16.8.
Despite being one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, Boston has been able to avoid fouling, ranking 29th in personal fouls per game.
Coming in as 15 point favorites, our projections have the Celtics picking up a 114-106 win.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Tips
- Take the Celtics on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Cavaliers (+15)
- Projecting a combined 220 points, we like the over
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Kristaps Porzingis – Calf – Out
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Caris LeVert – Knee – Questionable
- Jarrett Allen – Rib – Questionable
- Donovan Mitchell – Calf – Questionable
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
- Craig Porter Jr. – Ankle – Doubtful
