Game 3 Celtics vs. Cavaliers Preview + Free Pick

[Shame About Ray]

NBA Playoff Betting Action – Cavs to Climb Out of Hole Against Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers (49-41 SU, 42-48 ATS, 40-48-2 O/U) have been down 2-0 in the playoffs before, only to come roaring back en route to sports betting victory as they leave their dazed opponent stunned and utterly speechless, much like they did in beating the Detroit Pistons in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the 2007 NBA Finals.

However, the Cavaliers have never seen a defense like the one they faced in their first two online betting games of their second round series against the Boston Celtics, (72-19 SU, 57-32-2 ATS, 40-50-1 O/U) who have held the Cavaliers to 72 and 73 points respectively while absolutely shutting down superstar LeBron James while harassing him into consecutive performance of 2-for-18 in Game 1 and 6-for-24 shooting in Game 2.

"All year long we've been tough to beat at home," said Paul Pierce, who had a team-high 19 points. "And this is where we want to defend our home court and not let anybody come here and get comfortable."

Even James credited the Celtics for the stellar defensive efforts.

"Defensively, they're very, very aggressive," James said. "They're very good. I'm just missing shots I normally make. They haven't fallen in this building the last two games."

The Celtics, who struggled on the road in the first round, losing all three road games in the BetUS Sportsbook to the Atlanta Hawks, realize they are going to have to play better on the road as the postseason moves along.

"We are going into a hostile building and we know they play really well at home," said Kevin Garnett, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds in Game 2. "It's easier said than done, but some way we have to carry this energy over and take one game at a time."

The Celtics seem to have a solid plan for beating the Cavaliers – stop James at all costs and make someone else on the Cavs hits shots consistently.

"LeBron is what makes them go and if we somehow control him, then we control their team, said Celtics all-star Paul Pierce.

The Celtics have covered the spread in six of ten games dating back to the regular season but have alternated ATS wins and losses in each of their last six games while the Cavaliers have gone an identical 6-4 against the spread in their last ten contests and 3-2 ATS in their last five, spitting ATS wins with the Celtics in the first two games.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Wagering Free Picks:

The Celtics are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Central.
The Celtics are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
The Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
The Cavaliers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.
The Over is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Under is 6-0 in Cavaliers last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
The Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Analysis: While the Celtics struggled on the road against the Hawks in the first round, I say it taught the team a valuable lesson they won’t soon forget. Despite the fact that they are playing at home, I like the Boston Celtics to win their first road game of the postseason in this contest, by once again, limiting James’ field goals and forcing some other Cavaliers players to beat them. I say take the C’s for the outright win.

NBA Free Picks: Celtics+1 Point/Under 176 Total Points

08:00 PM EST NBA Odds

Boston Celtics +1 -110
Cleveland Cavaliers -1 -110

Over 176 -110
Under 176 -110