Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction 5-7-24 Picks

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics meet Tuesday in Game 1 East Second Round NBA Playoffs action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a 7-game series win over the Orlando Magic. The Cavs are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season when they made the finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 95.9 points on 44 percent shooting and allowing 100.3 points on 42 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.7 points and 4.4 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 9.1 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 28.7 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.1 rebounds per game.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview

The Boston Celtics are coming off a 5-game series over the Miami Heat and will play their first game in 6 days. The Celtics are in the second round of the playoffs for a third straight season. The Boston Celtics are averaging 107.8 points on 47.4 percent shooting and allowing 92.2 points on 43.8 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 2.8 points and 7 rebounds, while Derrick White is averaging 22.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. Jayson Tatum is the third double-digit scorer and Al Horford is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 75.7 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.6 rebounds per game.

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report

The Cavaliers will be without Craig Porter Jr., Dean Wade and Ty Jerome. Jarrett Allen remains questionable for the Cavs as he continues to deal with a ribs’ injury. 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.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

• The Celtics have won each of their last 14 home games against Central Division opponents.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight road games following a win.
• The home team has covered the spread in six of the Cavaliers’ last seven games.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 15 Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
• The Celtics have lost four of their last six playoff games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in six of the last seven games between the Cavaliers and Celtics.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Cavaliers’ last six playoff games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Celtics’ last eight night games at TD Garden have gone OVER the total points line.

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

I’m not excited to lay double-digit chalk with the Celtics, who have had trouble in these spots this season, and that includes 3 outright losses as double-digit favorites since March 25. Not having Porzingis makes the Celtics a little less scary. With all that aid, the Cleveland Cavaliers looked awful offensively in 7 games against the Magic and are probably lucky to even be in the second round. Outside of Mitchell, the rest of the Cavs players just couldn’t get going, and playing in Boston doesn’t make things any easier. If the Cavs aren’t going to find a spark offensively, this series could get ugly fast. Again, big number, but it’s Celtics or pass for me given how poorly the Cavaliers are playing right now.