With one game separating them from a third consecutive date with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to knock off the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final series on Thursday. Sportsbooks opened the Celtics as 10-point home underdogs with a total of 215.5.
Despite struggling through a tough first half that saw James collect four personal fouls in the Sportsbook two quarters for the first time in his career, the Cavs got back on track after halftime by topping the C’s 112-99 and grabbing a 3-1 series lead in the process. Kyrie Irving (42 points) and James (34) scored at will against the hapless Celtics, who once again looked like a team that sorely missed its star player, Isaiah Thomas.
The Celtics didn’t exactly use home court to their advantage in the first two contests, dropping the Sportsbook two games by an average of 28.5 points, including a 130-86 setback in Game 2. Without Thomas in the fold, Marcus Smart will have to resemble the player we saw go off for 27 points in Game 3 instead of the one who had just eight points on 1-of-9 shooting in Game 4 – his third single-digit output of the series.
So far it’s been the road team that’s covered the spread in this series, as the Cavs easily accomplished the feat as 4- and 5-point faves in Games 1 and 2 while the Celtics cashed as 15.5- and 15-point underdogs in Games 3 and 4.
As for the total, the UNDER is the hot bet when these teams collide in Beantown. In the last eight meetings between the Eastern Conference foes in Boston, the UNDER is 7-1.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Boston Celtics opened as 8.5-point underdogs at online sportsbook Sportsbook, while the NBA total line was sitting around 214.5 at Sportsbook for those who prefer OVER/UNDER betting on the total amount of points scored.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 122-95 win for the Cavaliers. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Cleveland Cavaliers have seen them go 62-32 and 42-48-4 ATS so far this NBA season, while the Boston Celtics are at 62-37 and 52-46-1 ATS. In Over/Under totals betting, the Celtics are 47-48-4, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are 55-37-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Boston vs Cleveland injuries news.
The Odds Shark betting Power Rankings have the Boston Celtics at No. 11 and the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 17 heading into this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers rank No. 16 in the league with 43.56 per game. That compares with Boston's No. 27 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Boston is the NBA's No. 3-ranked team at 12.15 per game, while the Cleveland Cavaliers rate No. 2 with 13.17 per contest.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland home to Boston, Saturday, May 27th