Cleveland Cavaliers (48-10) vs. Boston Celtics (42-17)
February 28, 2025 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -2.5; Over/Under: 232
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Magic and Grizzlies, and they play the Trail Blazers, Bulls, and Heat next. The Cavs have won eight straight games overall and six straight road games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.9 points on 49.8 percent shooting and allowing 111.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24.2 points and 4.8 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 10.4 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Raptors, lost to the Pistons, and play the Nuggets, Trail Blazers, and 76ers next. The Celtics look to avoid two straight losses for the first time since December 23-25.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 117.2 points on 46.1 percent shooting and allowing 107.9 points on 45 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 22.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick White is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 79.8 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last nine games following a loss.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last four games at TD Garden when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 17 games as road underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last eight games.
- The Celtics have lost four of their last five games as home favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest advantage.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.9).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (17.8).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for three-point percentage this season (39.4%).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q1 points per game this season (31.6).
Celtics vs Cavaliers Injury Report
Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, and Jaylen Brown are questionable for the Celtics.
The Cavaliers don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Celtics vs Cavaliers Prediction
The Celtics are getting the edge because they’re at home, and they’ve won seven of the last 10 games against the Cavs. The Celtics beat the Cavs earlier this month on the road as 1.5-point dogs. However, the reason I backed the Celtics in that game is the same as I have the Cavs here. I can’t turn either of these teams into underdogs. We don’t get this option often, and either of these clubs is too good to turn down with free points. Also, the Celtics are banged up and coming off a poor performance against the Pistons. The Cavs have the best cover percentage in the NBA at 66.6 percent. Give me the Cavaliers on Friday night.
