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The Boston Celtics will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Celtics head into their matchup against the Cavaliers as double-digit favorites. The Celtics are favored by 13.5 points. The matchup’s point total is set at 212.5.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Odds
Point Spread for Celtics vs. Cavaliers
The spread for this matchup is set at 13.5 points, with oddsmakers listing the Celtics as the favorite.
Boston vs. Cleveland Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Boston has -950 odds to win the game, while Cleveland is listed at +625 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 212.5 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- When: Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: ESPN
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Betting Trends
The Celtics have compiled a 42-36-4 record against the spread this season. Boston has entered the game as favorites 79 times this season and won 63, or 79.7%, of those games. Games involving the Celtics have hit the over 43 times this season.
The Cavaliers are 38-42-2 against the spread this season. Cleveland has been victorious in 11, or 37.9%, of the 29 contests it has been chosen as an underdog in this season. This season, 40 of the Cavaliers’ games have gone over the point total.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Key Players to Watch
Celtics
Jayson Tatum’s numbers on the season are 26.9 points, 4.9 assists and 8.1 boards per game, shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc, with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game (seventh in league). Jaylen Brown is putting up 23.0 points, 3.6 assists and 5.5 boards per contest. Derrick White’s numbers for the season are 15.2 points, 4.2 boards and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 46.1% from the floor and 39.6% from beyond the arc, with 2.7 made 3-pointers per contest. Jrue Holiday posts 12.5 points, 5.4 boards and 4.8 assists per contest. Defensively, he averages 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks.
Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen gives the Cavaliers 16.5 points, 10.5 boards and 2.7 assists per contest. He also averages 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks. Donovan Mitchell contributes with 26.6 points per game, plus 5.1 boards and 6.1 assists. Caris LeVert provides the Cavaliers 14.0 points, 4.1 boards and 5.1 assists per contest, plus 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks. The Cavaliers receive 12.2 points per game from Max Strus, plus 4.8 boards and 4.0 assists.
What you need to know about the Celtics
When it comes to points, the Celtics are thriving both offensively and defensively, as they rank second-best in the league in points scored (120.6 per game) and fifth-best in points allowed (109.2 per contest). The Celtics are allowing 43.3 rebounds per game this season (14th-ranked in NBA), but they’ve thrived by averaging 46.3 rebounds per game (second-best). The Celtics rank 14th in the NBA with 26.9 dimes per contest.
Boston is scoring 123.1 points per game this season in home games, which is 5.1 more points than it is averaging away from home (118.0). When it comes to three-point shooting, it’s been a dominant stretch for Boston, who is making 16.5 three-pointers per game (best in NBA) and shooting 38.8% from three-point land (second-best). Boston is surrendering 12.9 three-pointers per game this season (14th-ranked in NBA), and it is allowing a 35.2% three-point percentage (fourth-best).
The Celtics have a 6-3-1 record against the spread while finishing 7-3 overall in their past 10 contests. In its past 10 games, Boston has hit the over six times. On the offensive side of the ball, the Celtics have had a hard time putting the ball in the basket over their last 10 games, scoring 112.2 points per contest over that stretch as opposed to the 120.6 they’ve put up over the course of this season. Boston has been tougher on defense as of late, allowing 99.8 points per game over its last 10 outings compared to the 109.2 points per game its opponents are averaging on the 2023-24 season.
What you need to know about the Cavaliers
In 2023-24, the Cavaliers are 20th in the NBA on offense (112.6 points scored per game) and seventh defensively (110.2 points conceded). Cleveland collects 43.3 rebounds per game and concede 42.7 boards, ranking 16th and 10th, respectively, in the NBA. The Cavaliers are eighth in the NBA in assists (28.0 per game) in 2023-24.
In 2023-24 the Cavaliers are scoring 3.7 more points per game at home (114.5) than away (110.8). The Cavaliers are seventh in the NBA in 3-pointers made (13.5 per game) and 15th in 3-point percentage (36.7%). Cleveland gives up 12.5 3-pointers per game and concedes 37.1% from beyond the arc, ranking 10th and 21st, respectively, in the league.
The Cavaliers have a 4-6 record against the spread while finishing 5-5 overall in their last 10 games. In its past 10 contests, Cleveland has hit the over six times. Over its previous 10 games, Cleveland is scoring 100.5 points per game, compared to its season average of 112.6. Over their previous 10 games, the Cavaliers are giving up 106.2 points per game, compared to their season average of 110.2 points allowed.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction & Pick
Our pick to win this game is Celtics, and we predict that Celtics will cover the spread (Celtics -13.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 212.5 points.
How to bet Celtics vs. Cavaliers
You can bet on Boston vs. Cleveland at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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