Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James may have wowed reporters with his impressive memory in a press conference after Game 1, but the Cavs as a whole looked like they forgot how to play fundamental basketball in a 108-83 torching at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the opener of the Eastern Conference final. Cleveland aims to split the series at one game apiece in Game 2 on Tuesday at TD Garden. Boston has been lights-out in Massachusetts, as the Celtics are now 9-0 SU in their past nine at home after the Game 1 win.
Sportsbook opened the Celtics as slight 1-point home favorites with a total of 203.5.
- The Celtics are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games at home against teams with winning records.
- The total has gone UNDER in three of the Cavaliers’ last four games against the Celtics (avg combined score: 200.5).
- The Cavaliers are 15-5 SU in their last 20 games against the Celtics.
The second-seeded C’s held James to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting and dominated early on to the tune of a 26-point lead at halftime. As a team, the Cavs combined to shoot 36 percent from the field, including a brutal 4-for-26 from three-point range. After averaging 25 points over the previous three postseason affairs, Kevin Love went 5-for-14 from the field in the opener to finish with 17 points.
Everything that could’ve gone Boston’s way did in Game 1, and once again the decisions of high-profile bench boss Brad Stevens paid dividends. Marcus Morris was inserted into the starting lineup and rewarded the Celtics with 21 points and 10 boards. Jaylen Brown (23) and Al Horford (20) also reached the 20-point mark. Point guard Terry Rozier has been a revelation in the playoffs and didn’t have his best point-producing effort in Game 1 (eight) but contributed eight assists while turning the ball over only once.
The good news for Cavs moneyline bettors is Cleveland’s penchant for bouncing back after a loss. In the Cavs’ past eight when losing their previous game, they’re 7-1 SU.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Boston Celtics installed as -1.5-point favorites in this particular NBA matchup. The over-under betting line for the total number of point scored was listed by most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, at 203.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 109-107 result in favor of the Celtics. 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
The Boston Celtics sit at 64-31 (60-33-2 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 58-36 (36-57-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the points scored total? Boston is 50-44-1 OU and Cleveland is 45-47-2 OU. This season the Boston Celtics are 64-31 overall and 60-33-2 ATS against the number, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are 58-36 and 36-57-1 ATS. As for the totals, Boston is 50-44-1 on the OU, and Cleveland is 45-47-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Boston vs Cleveland injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 11-rated Boston Celtics and the No. 8-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers, according to the NBA Power Rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Boston's No. 19-ranked offense (104.06 PPG) against a Cleveland Cavaliers defense that ranks No. 25 at 108.98 PPG. The Boston Celtics have averaged 45.04% from the field per game, less than the Cleveland Cavaliers have managed so far this NBA season (47.38% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Cleveland was crushed on Sunday, getting run out of the gym by Boston and falling 108-83 at TD Garden.
- Cleveland is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
- Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
- Cleveland is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
- Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
- Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 12 of Boston's last 17 games
- Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland home to Boston, Saturday, May 19th
