The Cavaliers and Celtics renew festivities in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Cleveland defeated the upstart Orlando Magic in a rousing first round, seven-game series. While Boston dispelled (some) ghosts of playoffs' past with a gentleman's sweep of the Miami Heat.
2024 NBA Playoff Previews: Second Round
(Related Link) NBA Playoff Betting History: Key Trends, Tips
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +820 |
| Boston Celtics | -1600 |
Cleveland won its first NBA playoff series since the second Lebron James era with a hard-fought Game 7 victory on Sunday.
While the Boston Celtics have been a juggernaut all year and enter this series as heavy favorites to advance to their third Eastern Conference Finals in the past five years.
Cavaliers backers be warned. Teams listed as series favorites of -1400 or higher have gone a perfect 18-0 since 1990.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Hub
Cavaliers vs Celtics Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 7, 2024 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 2 | May 9, 2024 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 3 | May 11, 2024 | 8:30 p.m. | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 4 | May 13, 2024 | 3:30 p.m. | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | May 15, 2024 | TBD | TD Garden |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | May 17, 2024 | TBD | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | May 19, 2024 | TBD | TD Garden |
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Series Total Games Odds
| Total Games | Odds |
|---|---|
| 4 Games | +175 |
| 5 Games | +165 |
| 6 Games | +340 |
| 7 Games | +460 |
As the odds attest, sportsbooks expect this Cavaliers vs Celtics second round series to be over quickly.
I like the value on five games here at plus money. As round one displayed, a hot shooting night could easily allow Cleveland to steal a victory.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Series Prediction Odds
| Series Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics 4-0 | +185 |
| Boston Celtics 4-1 | +175 |
| Boston Celtics 4-2 | +470 |
| Boston Celtics 4-3 | +550 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 | +10000 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 | +4700 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 | +1700 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 | +2600 |
Sportsbooks are all over the Celtics to dispatch of the Cavaliers quickly and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics 2023-24 Spread and Total Betting History
| Date | Spread & Score Result | Total Points & Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2023 | Cleveland 113 @ Boston 120 (-11) Cavaliers Cover | O/U 226 (233 OVER) |
| Dec 14, 2023 | Cleveland 107 @ Boston 116 (-8.5) Celtics Cover | O/U 227.5 (223 UNDER) |
| February 10, 2024 | Boston (-8.5) 104 @ Cleveland 105 Cavaliers Cover | O/U 217 (209 UNDER) |
Cleveland went 2-1 ATS versus Boston this season, and the Cavs are now 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games against the Celtics.
Keep in mind, the Cavaliers are 0-3 SU and as a road underdog ATS in their last three games in Boston.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Player To Watch: Donovan Mitchell
| Games (vs. Celtics ) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 30 | 50 | 33.3 | 7 | 4.5 | 1 | 0.0 |
Spida lit up the Celtics this season. Intriguingly Mitchell missed the latest game in this matchup, a 105-104 Cleveland victory in early March. Only a Herculean effort from their best player gives the Cavaliers any hope of pulling off an improbable upset in this series.
He's continued his hot shooting in the postseason, drilling nearly 46% from the floor. Mitchell will have to kick his game to another level to win four games against these Celtics.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Odds To Win Eastern Conference
| Team | Odds To Win East |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +3000 |
| Boston Celtics | -300 |
The Celtics seem destined to reach their second NBA Finals in the past three years.
An awfully large number of chips would have to fall in just the right manner for the Cavaliers to win the conference for the first time since Lebron left.
Odds To Win NBA Championship
| Team | Odds To Win NBA Finals |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +5000 |
| Boston Celtics | +100 |
The idea of this Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA Championship in 2024 is almost unfathomable. This young Cavs team needs at least a few more years of seasoning, and likely one more offensive piece to become true title challengers.
On the flip side, betting on the Celtics as huge title favorites has little value in my eyes. However, you can find value on Jayson Tatum to win NBA Finals MVP if you like Boston to go all the way, at +170 odds.
Expert Prediction: Boston Celtics to Win Series 4-1 (+175)
I'm betting on Donovan Mitchell to steal at least one game from the powerhouse Celtics. Even without the injured Kristaps Porzingis, Boston has more than enough size and skill to wallop the overmatched Cavaliers.
Boston's insane +11.7 net rating dwarfs the Cavs +2.5 from the regular season. While Boston also leads in assist to turnover ratio, offensive and defensive rebounding percentage and effective field goal percentage. There are few routes to victory for Cleveland. Give me the Celtics in five.
