Cleveland vs Boston Betting Preview
May 21, 2017
Date & time: Sunday, May 21 @8:30 PM
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland)
Head to head record
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 86-130 (2016/2017 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 104-117 (2016/2017 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 91-114 (2016/2017 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers 103-99 (2016/2017 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics 124-118 (2016/2017 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to extend their thrilling winning run in the 2017 NBA play-offs when the face Boston Celtics at their Quicken Loans Arena in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final. Cavs look unstoppable at the moment and it remains to be seen if Celtics are capable of making a miracle in Cleveland.
LeBron is the man
By rolling over the likes of Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers set up a meeting with Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference final. Cavs continued with splendid performances in the tie against Brad Stevens’s troops and they are leading the series 2-0 ahead of Sunday’s clash. LeBron James was having his ups and downs during the regular season, but the “King James” has been on top of his game in the play-offs. LeBron scored 68 points in total in previous two meetings with Boston and Celtics do not seem capable of stopping the last season’s MVP. Cleveland Cavaliers are after their 11th consecutive win in the play-offs and, no doubt, the hosts are brimming with confidence ahead of Game 3. In their last home game Cavs recorded a 125-103 victory over Toronto Raptors.
Walter Tavares is definitely out of contention with injury, but coach Tyronn Lue has no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Boston Celtics. There are no suspended players in the home team.
Thomas playing below expectations
Boston Celtics came from two wins behind to eliminate Chicago Bulls at the start of their 2017 NBA play-offs campaign and they somehow defeated Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference semis. Many people expected that Celtics, who finished the regular season in top position in the standings, would make life difficult for Cleveland Cavaliers at their TD Garden, Brad Stevens’ men failed to impress in defeats to the title holders. Boston are desperate to get back on course, but it has to be noted that key player and top scorer Isaiah Thomas suffered a hip injury in Game 2. Thomas missed the second half of the 130-86 loss to Cleveland Cavaliers and he is questionable for Sunday’s encounter. Anyhow, Isaiah has been playing below expectations in the series against Cavs and, taking everything into account, it is no surprise Celtics are regarded as big underdogs in Game 3. You should bear in mind that Boston suffered a loss in each of their three away games in the tie against Washington Wizards.
Isaiah Thomas is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day, but coach Brad Stevens has no other injury concerns ahead of the trip to Cleveland.
Interesting Facts
- Cavs emerged triumphant in seven of last eight meetings with Celtics
- LeBron James has been averaging 28.9 points in last ten games
- Cleveland Cavaliers are on a ten-game winning run in NBA
- Isaiah Thomas has 9.5 points per game in the series against Cavs
- Cavs scored 116+ points in each of their last three home games
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics betting pick
Cleveland Cavaliers are on the right track to book their place in the NBA final, but they have yet to get their job done. Considering that Boston Celtics key player Isaiah Thomas is questionable for Game 3, I believe that there is a big value in betting on the high-flying Cavs.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers –14.5
Odds: -110
