Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
May 23, 2018
Date & time: Wednesday, May 23 @8:30 PM
Venue: TD Garden (Boston)
Head to head record
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics 111-102 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics 116-86 (2017/2018 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 107-94 (2017/2018 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83 (2017/2018 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 99-121 (2017/2018 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction
Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers take on each other at TD Garden in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Cavs tied the series in style, but beating Celtics in Boston is easier said than done.
Home court – big advantage
Boston Celtics have been playing above expectations in the 2018 NBA play-offs. Brad Stevens’ men outplayed the likes of Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks without key player Kyrie Irving, who remains in the recovery room, and they did well to beat Cleveland Cavaliers at home in the first two games of the Eastern Conference final. Boston Celtics have turned their TD Garden into a real fortress, with the team recording a win in each of their previous 10 home games in NBA and that is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Game 5. Jaylen Brown is undisputedly playing the main role in Brad Stevens’ team in the series against Cavs and all eyes will be on him when the two teams face each other at the Garden. Anyhow, Celtics need to stop Cleveland superstar LeBron James if they are to regain the lead.
Shane Larkin is rated doubtful, whilst Kyrie Irving, Daniel Thies and Gordon Hayward are all out of contention through injury. Coach Brad Stevens, though, has no other selection worries.
Confidence boost
Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Boston Celtics by crushing Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference semis, but they failed to impress in back-to-back defeats to Brad Stevens’ troops at TD Garden. Cavs, though, outclassed Celtics 116-86 and, to make things even better, they tied the series on Monday. LeBron James led Cavaliers to a 111-102 triumph with 44 points and it has to be noted that he made no less than 17 shots during the match (28 attempted). The King James is high on confidence ahead of game 5, but he will have to be at his sharpest in the TD Garden clash if he is to help Cavs record third consecutive victory over Celtics. Cleveland had 47 rebounds in the 111-102 victory over Boston, ten more than their rivals, which was probably the key to the success. However, you should bear in mind that Tyronn Lue’s charges suffered three defeats in previous five games on the road.
Coach Tyronn Lue has no injury concerns ahead of the trip to Boston and he is unlikely to make changes to the starting line-up that faced Celtics in game 4.
Interesting facts
- Cavs scored under 94 points in each of last three games at TD Garden
- Boston are eyeing their 11th home win in NBA
- Celtics scored 100+ points in each of their last six home games
- LeBron James has been averaging 27.9 points in last ten games
- Cavs had 18 turnovers in game 4
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting pick
Boston Celtics are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but seeing that they failed to impress in back-to-back losses to Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, we are no tempted to put our money on Brad Stevens’ troops. Cavs regained a much-needed confidence and seeing that LeBron James looks unstoppable at the moment, away win should be considered.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers to win
Odds: -110
