After months of clinging to first place in the Eastern Conference, Monday night’s defeat to the Knicks means Boston has a slightly worse winning percentage than Milwaukee, who for now grabs the top spot. Cleveland has no aspirations of being first, but can certainly solidify its grip on fourth, to say nothing of third being within sight.

Check the NBA odds as they develop.

Cavaliers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

Wednesday is the third instalment in a quartet of meetings between Joe Mazzulla and J.B. Bickerstaff’s ensembles. For all the flowers given to the Celtics, the Cavs are one side they have yet to figure out. Cleveland earned the spoils in both previous encounters, including one in Boston. Interestingly, the Celtics managed to score more points than Cleveland’s league-best 106.5 conceded per game yet the Ohio club beat them anyways.

The Cavaliers halted an alarming three-game losing streak on Sunday by defeating the visiting Raptors. It also permitted betters to cash in if they took Cleveland against the spread. The club had previously failed to cover four consecutive opportunities. Cleveland is 4-6 in their previous contests played away from home, whereas their record ATS is 5-5.

One has to wade through a lot of games and results, but close inspection of Boston’s recent success indicates that their efforts against clubs with winning percentages have resulted in only .500 basketball. In other words, they are 5-5 in their last 10 tilts when contending with clubs that sport a winning record. Furthermore, Mazzulla’s side tends to lose in streaks. Despite their enviable 44-18 record, they’ve lost at least twice in a row no fewer than four times since December.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers were in need of a “pick me up” after falling to three straight teams with playoff seeding in mind (Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Denver). Luckily for them, the Toronto Raptors were in town on Sunday.

Not that the Raptors don’t stand a chance of making the postseason, but they’ve been maddeningly inconsistent and entered the match one game under .500. The first quarter was a relatively close affair, with the Cavs holding a six-point lead, but the hints were dropped as to what direction the contest would take. Donovan Mitchell was excellent, leading the way with 35 points, 24 of which were earned by shooting from downtown. Jarrett Allen was in on the action as well, frequently pestering Raptors around the rim to the tune of 23 points and 11 rebounds. As the game wore on, Cleveland’s NBA-best defence stepped up, nullifying what is already an average Toronto offence. Cleveland wins easily, 118-93.

Boston Celtics

There is no way Jaylen Brown’s absence can be used as an excuse for what happened Monday night at Madison Square Garden. More than once Boston had found ways to win big games despite limited roster options. This was simply a mediocre effort.

Heading into the contest the Knicks were feeling good about themselves, having won five straight. They took it to Boston’s paint defence early and often (despite getting outscored in that regard overall). Two important things happened. One, the Celtics misfired from three-point range all night, going 21.4 per cent. Two, Boston seemed a little discombobulated later in the contest when, instead of attacking through the paint more, the hosts started hitting threes. 38.7 isn’t mesmerizing, but it’s still better than what Boston did. Malcolm Brogdon was the side’s top scorer with 22. Jayson Tatum was a pitiful 6-18 shooting and a -14 points differential. Knicks pound the Celtics 109-94.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Celtics?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cavaliers Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 28.26
Assists	Darius Garland 7.8
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.79
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.46
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.51

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 23.2
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 7.2
Rebounds	Evan Mobley 10
FG%	Robin Lopez 100
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 2
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.2

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Celtics Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 28.26
Assists	Darius Garland 7.8
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.79
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.46
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.51

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 23.2
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 7.2
Rebounds	Evan Mobley 10
FG%	Robin Lopez 100
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 2
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.2

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

Injuries

Cleveland

Cedi Osman (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 20 / 04 / 23

Jarrett Allen (C)

Prob Sun Groin - 05 / 04 / 23

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Sat Leg - 05 / 04 / 23

Caris LeVert (SG)

Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 04 / 23

Dylan Windler (SG)

Out indefinitely Foot - 01 / 04 / 23

Jarrett Allen (C)

Ques Sun Groin - 27 / 03 / 23

Isaac Okoro (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 03 / 23

Dean Wade (SF)

Prob Fri Illness - 26 / 03 / 23

Danny Green (SG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 26 / 03 / 23

Raul Neto (PG)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23

Boston

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23

Blake Griffin (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23

Al Horford (C)

Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23

Robert Williams III (C)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Derrick White (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cedi Osman (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 20 / 04 / 23	1-2	0-3	+ -
Osman is battling a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Knicks in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference first round.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Prob Sun	Groin - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
Allen missed the last contest with a right groin strain, but it is forecasted that he will play against the Hornets on Sunday.
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Sat	Leg - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
Garland is nursing a left lower-leg contusion, but it is expected that he will face the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Caris LeVert (SG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
LeVert is dealing with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Knicks.
Dylan Windler (SG)	Out indefinitely	Foot - 01 / 04 / 23	2-6	2-7	+ -
Windler is idle with a left foot sprain, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Ques Sun	Groin - 27 / 03 / 23	4-6	2-9	+ -
Allen has sat out the last two contests due to a right groin strain, leaving his availability for Sunday's battle with the Pacers up in the air.
Isaac Okoro (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Okoro has been idle with left knee soreness, but he is expected to return to action against the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dean Wade (SF)	Prob Fri	Illness - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Wade has missed the previous two games due to an illness, but it is likely that he will be active for Friday's showdown versus the Knicks.
Danny Green (SG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Green is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Raul Neto (PG)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23	5-7	4-9	+ -
Neto has sat out the last three contests due to hamstring tightness, and it is unknown if he will face off with the Knicks on Friday.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Mon	Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23	2-1	0-3	+ -
Brogdon is nursing a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Fri	Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23	3-4	3-4	+ -
Brogdon is managing a right forearm strain, but it is likely that he will take on the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23	5-6	6-5	+ -
Smart is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Blake Griffin (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 05 / 05 / 23	6-6	6-6	+ -
Griffin is tending to lower-back pain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Ques Wed	Chest - 02 / 05 / 23	6-7	7-6	+ -
Smart is nursing a chest contusion, leaving his status against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals up in the air.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23	8-9	11-6	+ -
Smart is hindered by a tailbone contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Sat	Back - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Horford is nursing lower back stiffness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Hawks.
Robert Williams III (C)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Williams is managing left knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Hawks.
Derrick White (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
White has a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's tilt with the Raptors.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Sat	Back - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
Brogdon is hampered by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will bounce back in time to face the Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.