Cavaliers vs. Celtics Prediction
The Boston Celtics won Game 1 in blowout fashion over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Will Cleveland rebound tonight as a small underdog to even the series at a game apiece?
Game Snapshot
701 Cleveland Cavaliers at 702 Boston Celtics
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
TD Garden at 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Celtics are a 1-point favorite to win on the moneyline. The total is set at 203 points. As of Tuesday morning, 52 percent of public bets have come in on visiting Cleveland. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Boston doubles up Cavs in first quarter
The Celtics went on a 25-2 run in the first quarter and led 36-18 at the end of the stanza, only to dominate the second quarter too as they led 61-35 at halftime. Cleveland played better in the third quarter as it outscored Boston 29-17 over the 12 minutes, but the Celtics turned it back on as it outscored the Cavs 30-19 over the final 12 minutes to claim the 108-83 victory. Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Marcus Morris contributed 21 points and 10 boards. Al Horford had 20 points, six assists, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Jayson Tatum added 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
LeBron held to 15 points
Morris made headlines over the weekend byreferring to himself as a “LeBron stopper” and for at least one game, he backed up those claims as James only scored 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting including 0-of-5 from 3-point range. He added nine assists, seven caroms and two blocks. Despite the low point total, LeBron is still averaging 32.8 points during the postseason. It was his lowest point total since the final game of the regular season when he only scored 10 points in 11 minutes before resting in a 110-98 home loss to the Knicks.
NBA Betting Trends
Cleevland
The over is 4-0 ATS in the last four Cavaliers games following an ATS loss. The over is 5-1 in the last six Cleveland games played on one day of rest.
Boston
The Celtics are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 meetings vs. Cleveland in Boston. The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Prediction:
James said after the game that his history dictates that Game 1 of series’ can often be a feeling out process for his teams and due to his body of work I don’t doubt that statement for a second. I’ve faded the Cavaliers a lot in the playoffs, which worked well against Indiana but not so much against Toronto. It was a stress-free bet in Game 1, but I’m expecting a different Cleveland team this time around. This seems like a game where LBJ puts the Cavs on his back and carries them to a huge win.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS +1