The Boston Celtics are only one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, but in order to get there they’ll have to exorcise their road demons. Boston is 1-6 SU away from home in the postseason, including two setbacks to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs are a perfect 7-0 SU in their last seven home contests and are 8-1 SU in their previous nine when labeled as favorites.
Sportsbook opened the Celtics as 7-point road underdogs with a total of 201.5.
- The favored team is 3-0 ATS in the last three meetings between the Cavaliers and Celtics.
- The Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games at home.
- The Celtics are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games as road underdogs.
LeBron James had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while going 11-for-22 from the field but it wasn’t enough, as the Cavs fell to the C’s 96-83 in Game 5 and are now in a 3-2 hole ahead of Game 6. King James has topped the 40-point mark twice in this series and six times in the playoffs, but unless Cleveland can get its secondary scoring going, James is in grave danger of falling short in his bid to make the NBA Finals for the eighth straight year.
Boston’s group of young stars continues to pave the way, evidenced by rookie small forward Jayson Tatum scoring 24 points in Game 5 for his ninth 20-point performance of the playoffs. Al Horford has been a monster in the paint, as the big man had 15 points and 12 boards in Game 5 for his second double-double of the series and seventh of the postseason.
Is another UNDER in store tonight? Four of the five matchups in the Eastern Conference final have gone below the closing total.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those looking to pick the visitors as their prediction to cover in this one found the Boston Celtics listed as 7-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER total betting line for this game was set at 201.5 at Sportsbook but may have moved since the betting odds opened.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at OddsShark pick a 104-102 result in favor of the Cavaliers. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Cleveland battles the Boston Celtics, currently with a 66-33 mark (62-35-2 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 46-50-2 for the Cavaliers and 51-47-1 for the Celtics. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Boston injuries news.
The Cavaliers-Celtics betting odds would favor the Cavaliers if the lines were set according to power rankings. Cleveland is rated No. 8 in our latest OddsShark poll, while Boston sits at No. 11.
Statistical Matchup
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Cleveland's No. 25-rated NBA squad against Boston's No. 11-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Cleveland rates No. 4 in the league with 11.71 treys per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 7 with 11.3 per outing.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Boston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
- Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
- Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Cleveland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
- Cleveland is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
- Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Boston home to Cleveland, Sunday, May 27
