Boston Celtics (42-21) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (39-24)
March 8, 2026 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Cavaliers +1.5; Over/Under: 225.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Sunday in NBA action at the Rocket Arena. Here’s a Cavaliers vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Cavaliers vs. Celtics pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Mavs, lost to the Hornets, and play the Spurs next. The Celtics have won 17 of their last 23 games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 114.6 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 107 points on 44 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.8 points and 7.2 rebounds, while Payton Pritchard is averaging 16.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer, and Jayson Tatum is grabbing 12 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 79.4 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.4 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Nets and Pistons, and they play the 76ers next. The Cavs have won 10 of their last 13 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 119.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 114.9 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points and 5.8 assists, while James Harden is averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 8.5 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last seven home games.
- The Celtics have lost each of their four previous day games at Rocket Arena.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games at Rocket Arena following a home win.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last eight road games following a home win.
- The Cavaliers have lost eight of their last nine games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Celtics.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Sunday games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 road games against teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Celtics’ last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the Cavaliers’ last 10 home games following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Cavaliers vs Celtics Injury Report
The Cavs will be without Max Strus and Jarrett Allen. Jaylon Tyson and Tyrese Proctor are questionable.
The Celtics will be without Nikola Vucevic.
Cavaliers vs Celtics Prediction
The Cavaliers are getting the edge because they’re at home, but the Celtics are too good to pass up in soft spots like this, especially at near full strength. The return of Tatum is massive and he looked sharp in his debut. The Cavs are getting back Mitchell, but they’ll be down Allen. At full strength, the Celtics are arguably the best team in the East, and they’ve won 7 of the last 9 games against the Cavs. The Celtics have 21 road wins. All of a sudden, the Celtics’ ceiling raises dramatically and they’re more attractive than before. I’ll lay the bucket with the C’s.
