NBA Playoff Rematch – Celtics @ Cavaliers
The defending-champion Boston Celtics are mired in their biggest slump since putting their now famous ‘Big Three’ together prior to last season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are generally recognized as the second best team and best threat to defeat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, both teams will be gunning for an SU and ATS victory in the BetUS Sportsbook when they meet at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
The Celtics were upset 89-85 by the Houston Rockets last time out, losing their third consecutive game while failing to cover the spread for BetUS NBA sports betting enthusiasts as 10-point favorites at home while the game’s 174 total points went UNDER the posted O/U total of 184.5 points.
Forward Paul Pierce scored a team-high 26 points, adding five rebounds and four assists in the loss for good measure. Pierce said he expects a hard-fought contest with Cleveland tonight.
“This is the team we put out of the playoffs,” he said. “They are the best home team in all of basketball, so they have been looking forward to this. We’re going to get their best punch. When you play in a game like this, teams like us want to try to find the edge because we know somewhere down the road we’re going to see them in the playoffs. We have got to be ready for their best shot. The way they have been playing at home has been unbelievable, but the way we are playing, this is a great way to get back on track.”
The Cavaliers spanked the Charlotte Bobcats soundly as they cruised to a 111-81 victory on Wednesday, easily covering the spread as 14-point home favorites in the BetUS Sportsbook.
LeBron James led the way with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists while Mo Williams, Wally Szczerbiak, and Daniel Gibson each added 15 points apiece in the win.
James said he and his teammates are taking tonight’s matchup very seriously.
“We know it is not just another game,” James said after practice on Thursday. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Here is a look at the key betting trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston’s last 7 games on the road
Boston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston’s last 8 games
Boston is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Cleveland is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games
NBA Odds
Boston Celtics +4 -110
Cleveland Cavaliers -4 -110
Over 184 -110
Under
Analysis: I know the Boston Celtics are struggling in a big way right now, but I genuinely believe that the C’s are going to rise to the challenge tonight while covering the spread at the very least.
