Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction
After looking listless in much of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers return home tonight for an important Game 3 versus the Boston Celtics. Is Cleveland a good bet to get a win back and make it a competitive series?
Game Snapshot
703 Boston Celtics at 704 Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Quicken Loans Arena at 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cavaliers are a 6.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under sits at 205 points. As of Saturday morning, 58 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Boston. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
James notches triple-double in loss
The Cleveland Cavaliers exhibited poor body language and clear frustration in the second half of the 107-94 loss at Boston in Game 2. Even despite failing to rally back after being outscored 36-22 in the third quarter, Cavs superstar small forward LeBron James notched a triple-double with 42 points along with 12 assists and 10 rebounds. He shot 16-of-29 from the floor including 5-of-11 on 3-point attempts. Kevin Love chipped in with 22 points and 15 boards, but the next-closest top scorer for Cleveland was Kyle Korver off the bench with 11.
Balance, strong defense lifts Celtics again
All five starters for the Celtics scored in double figures in Game 2 led by Jaylen Brown with 23. Brown also had six rebounds, three assists and a steal while shooting 9-of-18 from the field. Terry Rozier had 18 points, six caroms and two assists. Al Horford contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds plus four assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Marcus Morris had 12 points, while Jayson Tatum added 11. Marcus Smart accounted for 11 points, nine assists and four steals off the bench.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Cleveland. The under is 4-0 in the last four Boston games following a straight up win.
Cleveland
The Cavaliers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games played on three or more days of rest. Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings overall.
Prediction:
Brad Stevens is an amazing coach to keep Boston aflot without star point guard Kyrie Irving the last couple months or small forward Gordon Hayward for all but six minutes this season. Somehow the Celtics are only two wins away from the NBA Finals. While I like Cleveland to play a lot better in Game 3, I can’t trust it to win by as much as this spread dictates. I have to stick with the team playing better basketball to this point and that is clearly the Celtics.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS +6.5