Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/05/2024, 15:24  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The Cleveland Cavaliers return home for game three of their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics. After two games, the series is tied at 1-1. The Cavaliers evened out this series with an emphatic game two victory. J.B. Bickerstaff’s men took away Boston’s home court advantage for the first two games by winning 118-94 in midweek. They will now seek to build on this as the series switches to Cleveland for games three and four. After a poor first game in which only Donovan Mitchell scored more than 20 points, the Cavs were out to play in game two. Three players scored over 20 points with Mitchell leading all scorers on both ends with 29 points. The guard is averaging 29.2 points in these playoffs. Game two was the Cavs’ first away victory in this season’s playoffs. They had lost all three road games in their seven-game thriller with the Magic in game one. Jarrett Allen was again absent for the Cavs last time out. He has now missed five games with a rib issue and could be sidelined again here. Dean Wade, Ty Jerome and Craig Porter Jr. were also absent in game two. The Cavaliers are averaging 98.2 points in the playoffs and are shooting 44.9% from the field.

The Celtics are likely not to be worried by the game two setback. Joe Mazzulla’s men also lost their second game against the Heat in round one but bounced back to win the series in five. They also won game one by 25 points and were on a four-match winning run leading into game two. Boston are a team that rely heavily on their play from behind the arc and top in threes made and attempted in these playoffs. In game two however this was their undoing. They shot 22% from three, making only eight of 35 attempts. Jason Tatum, who is averaging 21.7 points in the postseason, led the team with 25 points in game two. He was the only Celtic with at least 20 points. Boston have three players averaging over 20 points in the playoffs and are the only team doing so. Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t suited up against the Cavs due to a soleus issue. He also missed the last two games against the Heat in round one. The Celtics are averaging 107.6 points in the playoffs and are shooting 46.8% from the field.