Cleveland Cavaliers (53-38) vs Boston Celtics (69-20)
Game Info: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8:30 pm (Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse)
Betting Odds: Cleveland Cavaliers +8 / Boston Celtics -8 --- Over/Under: 211.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Saturday in Game 3 East Second Round NBA Playoffs action at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics look for their third road playoff win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Celtics are 2-0 SU on the road in these playoffs. The Boston Celtics are averaging 107.6 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 96.3 points on 45 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.6 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum is averaging 1.7 points and 10 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Al Horford is grabbing 6.4 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 33.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.9 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers look for another upset win to take a surprising 2-1 series lead. The Cavs are 4-0 SU at home in these playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 98.2 points on 44.9 percent shooting and allowing 101.8 points on 42.8 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.2 points and 4.9 assists, while Jarrett Allen is averaging 17 points and 1.3 assists. Darius Garland is the third double-digit scorer and Evan Mobley is grabbing 9.7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 30.1 percent from beyond the arc and 75.4 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 31.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.1 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
The Cavaliers will be without Craig Porter Jr. and Ty Jerome. Jarrett Allen remains questionable for the Cavs as he continues to deal with a ribs’ injury. Dean Wade has also been upgraded to questionable with a knee injury. Wade hasn’t played since March 18. Kristaps Porzingis remains out for the Celtics with a calf injury, and reports indicate he’s making progress, but there’s no timetable for a return just yet.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Donovan Mitchell ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.8) this season.
- Evan Mobley ranks 11th amongst qualified players for FG% (58.0%) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Al Horford ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
- Jrue Holiday ranks 2nd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (42.9%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cavaliers are one of only two teams to lose a game when leading by 20+ points at HT this season.
- The Cavaliers rank 3rd in the league for Q2 opponent points per game this season (26.9).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.3).
- The Celtics rank T1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.6).
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
The Celtics should be massive favorites as they're the more talented team across the board, and they're healthier even with the injury to Porzingis. I also don't want to overreact to a game 2 loss because they lost game 2 to the Heat and then smoked their boots the final 3 games. With all that said, I have little confidence in the Celtics as big favorites. The Celtics have lost outright twice in these playoffs as double-digit favorites, and 4 times since March 25. Throw in that loss to the Lakers, and the Celtics have 5 outright losses as double-digit favorites since February 1. That's nuts. The Cavs are 4-0 SU at home in these playoffs, and the home team has won 8 of the last 10 games between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Give me the points with the Cavs if forced to pick.
Randy’s Pick Cleveland Cavaliers +8
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds