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The Boston Celtics will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Celtics enter their game against the Cavaliers as double-digit favorites. The Celtics are favored by 12.5 points. The matchup’s over/under is set at 211.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Odds
Point Spread for Celtics vs. Cavaliers
The spread for this matchup is set at 12.5 points, with oddsmakers listing the Celtics as the favorite.
Boston vs. Cleveland Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Boston has -650 odds to win the game, while Cleveland is listed at +470 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 211 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- When: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: TNT
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Betting Trends
The Celtics have covered the spread 42 times in 82 games with a set spread. Boston has been the favorite in 79 games this season and won 63 (79.7%) of those contests. This season, 43 of the Celtics’ games have gone over the point total.
The Cavaliers have covered the spread 38 times this season (38-42-2). Cleveland has been chosen as underdogs in 29 games this year and has walked away with the win 11 times (37.9%) in those games. Cavaliers games have finished with a final combined score above the over/under 40 times this year.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Key Players to Watch
Celtics
Jayson Tatum puts up 26.9 points, 8.1 boards and 4.9 assists per contest, making 47.1% of shots from the field and 37.6% from downtown with 3.1 made 3-pointers per contest (seventh in league). Jaylen Brown averages 23.0 points, 5.5 boards and 3.6 assists per game. Defensively, he averages 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks. Derrick White’s numbers on the season are 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and 4.2 boards per game. Jrue Holiday posts 12.5 points, 5.4 boards and 4.8 assists per contest, shooting 48.0% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc (seventh in NBA), with 2.0 made 3-pointers per game.
Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen provides 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’s averages on the season are 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per contest, making 46.2% of his shots from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc, with 3.3 treys per contest. The Cavaliers receive 14.0 points, 4.1 boards and 5.1 assists per game from Caris LeVert. The Cavaliers get 12.2 points per game from Max Strus, plus 4.8 boards and 4.0 assists.
What you need to know about the Celtics
Things are clicking for the Celtics, who are scoring 120.6 points per game (second-best in NBA) and ceding 109.2 points per contest (fifth-best). The Celtics are top-five this year in rebounding, ranking second-best in the league with 46.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, they rank 14th with 43.3 rebounds allowed per contest. The Celtics rank 14th in the NBA with 26.9 assists per contest.
Boston is averaging 123.1 points per game when playing at home. In away games, it is averaging 118.0 points per contest. Boston is dominating in terms of three-point shooting, as it ranks best in the league in treys (16.5 per game) and second-best in shooting percentage from three-point land (38.8%). Boston ranks fourth-best in the NBA by giving up a three-point shooting percentage of 35.2% to opponents. It ranks 14th in the league by ceding 12.9 treys per contest.
The Celtics are 6-3-1 against the spread and 7-3 overall in their past 10 contests. Boston has hit the over in six of its last 10 games. On offense, the Celtics have had a hard time putting the ball in the basket over their last 10 games, scoring 112.6 points per contest over that span compared to the 120.6 they’ve put up over the course of this season. The past 10 games have seen Boston concede 8.2 fewer points per game (101.0) than its season-long average (109.2).
What you need to know about the Cavaliers
In 2023-24, the Cavaliers are 20th in the league on offense (112.6 points scored per game) and seventh on defense (110.2 points allowed). With 43.3 rebounds per game and 42.7 rebounds allowed, Cleveland is 16th and 10th in the league, respectively. The Cavaliers are eighth in the league in assists (28.0 per game) in 2023-24.
The Cavaliers score 114.5 points per game at home, and 110.8 on the road. Beyond the arc, the Cavaliers are seventh in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game (13.5). They are 15th in 3-point percentage at 36.7%. Giving up 12.5 3-pointers per game and conceding 37.1% from beyond the arc, Cleveland is 10th and 21st in the league, respectively, in those categories.
The Cavaliers have a 4-6 record against the spread while finishing 6-4 overall in their last 10 contests. Cleveland has hit the over in five of its past 10 outings. In its last 10 games, Cleveland is compiling 102.0 points per contest, compared to its season average of 112.6. While the Cavaliers are ceding 110.2 points per game in 2023-24, they have bettered that mark in their past 10 games, allowing 104.0 points per contest.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction & Pick
Our pick to win this game is Celtics, and we predict that Celtics will cover the spread (Celtics -12.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 211 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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