The Cleveland Cavaliers battled to stave off elimination and force a decisive Game 7 against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 109-99 win in Game 6. Now they will have to play a one-game elimination to determine which team will represent the East in the NBA Finals without one of their best players in the lineup. Cleveland will be without Kevin Love for Game 7 on Sunday after he was ruled out with concussion symptoms. Can the Cavaliers survive and advance without Love’s help? Or will Boston answer at home to book its spot in the NBA Finals? Here is a closer look at this NBA matchup ahead of Game 7.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Recent history is certainly on the side of the Celtics after the home team won each of the first six games in this series. Boston is now 10-0 on its home floor so far this postseason. The Celtics are also 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last five Sunday games. The Celtics already have a Game 7 win under their belts this postseason after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 112-96 at home in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first round series.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have struggled on the road so far this postseason with a 1-5 mark against teams other than the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland is just 8-18 ATS in its last 26 road games versus teams with a winning home record overall. If there is on silver lining for the Cavaliers it is the fact that they are now 2-0 in games when facing elimination. This is a veteran Cleveland team so they should feel confidence with their backs against the wall in another elimination game on Sunday.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have looked like a completely different team on the road compared to at home so far in these playoffs. Cleveland has scored at least 109 points in each of its three home wins against Boston but has failed to top 94 points in any of its three road losses in this series. The Cavaliers offense will need to figure things out on the road in Game 7 in order to avoid elimination.

Meanwhile, the overall theme will remain the same for Cleveland’s supporting cast although they will be without Love. George Hill had 20 points in Game 6 while Jeff Green and Larry Nance Jr. combined for 24 points. LeBron James went off for 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in Game 6. He will need another superhuman effort if he is going to extend his streak of consecutive NBA Finals appearances to eight in a row. However, for as talented as Kings James is he will still need some help from his supporting cast on the road in this decisive Game 7.

Boston Celtics

Part of the reason why the Cavaliers have struggled so much on the road this postseason is the fact that Boston has been a much better team at both ends of the floor at TD Garden. Will that trend continue in Game 7? The Celtics defense has been suffocating at home so far in this series so if they continue that trend they should have a good shot to emerge victorious.

Meanwhile, the offense will definitely need to pick up the pace after struggling mightily on the road again in Game 6. Al Horford and Marcus Morris in particular will need to be better after combining for just 16 points on 5-of-18 shooting in the game. Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown have been excellent for the most part and will be counted on to lead the way offensively once again in this must-win contest. Boston has shown in this series that they have the talent to beat Cleveland but now they have to prove they can bring their best effort yet to the table in a decisive winner take all Game 7. Considering the differences in experience and LeBron’s track record overall, there is a good chance the Cavaliers will be able to reverse their recent trend of struggling on the road and find a way to pick up a big win in Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals once again.

Injuries

Cleveland

JR Smith (SG)

Ques Mon Illness - 06 / 05 / 18

George Hill (PG)

Prob Tues Back - 01 / 05 / 18

Rodney Hood (SG)

Prob Wed Personal - 18 / 04 / 18

Kyle Korver (SG)

Prob Wed Illness - 16 / 04 / 18

Tristan Thompson (C)

Prob Sun Personal - 13 / 04 / 18

Jose Calderon (PG)

Prob Mon Hamstring - 05 / 04 / 18

Jeff Green (SF)

Prob Tues Illness - 23 / 03 / 18

Larry Nance Jr. (PF)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 14 / 03 / 18

Cedi Osman (SF)

Prob Wed Hip - 10 / 03 / 18

LeBron James (SF)

Prob Tues Leg - 12 / 02 / 18

Boston

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Thurs Thumb - 01 / 05 / 18

Marcus Morris (PF)

Prob Sat Thigh - 27 / 04 / 18

Greg Monroe (C)

Ques Tues Illness - 17 / 04 / 18

Terry Rozier (PG)

Prob Sun Finger - 12 / 04 / 18

Guerschon Yabusele (PF)

Prob Wed Knee - 08 / 04 / 18

Shane Larkin (PG)

Prob Fri Illness - 02 / 04 / 18

Jabari Bird (SG)

Prob Sun Back - 14 / 03 / 18

Daniel Theis (PF)

out for season Knee - 11 / 03 / 18

Aron Baynes (C)

Prob Mon Elbow - 23 / 02 / 18

Al Horford (PF)

Ques Sat Head - 24 / 01 / 18

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
JR Smith (SG)	Ques Mon	Illness - 06 / 05 / 18	7-6	6-7	+ -
Smith is ailing from an illness and it is unknown if he will play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Raptors.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Tues	Back - 01 / 05 / 18	8-7	8-7	+ -
Hill is nursing back soreness but is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Raptors.
Rodney Hood (SG)	Prob Wed	Personal - 18 / 04 / 18	9-12	9-12	+ -
Hood is likely to suit up against the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a personal matter.
Kyle Korver (SG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 16 / 04 / 18	9-12	9-12	+ -
Korver is dealing with an illness but is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Prob Sun	Personal - 13 / 04 / 18	9-13	9-13	+ -
Thompson is away from the team due to the birth of his child but is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jose Calderon (PG)	Prob Mon	Hamstring - 05 / 04 / 18	12-14	12-14	+ -
Calderon has sat out the last two games due to a sore left hamstring but is expected to be available for Monday's contest against the Knicks.
Jeff Green (SF)	Prob Tues	Illness - 23 / 03 / 18	18-15	14-19	+ -
Green sat out the last game with whooping cough but is likely to play Tuesday against the Heat.
Larry Nance Jr. (PF)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 14 / 03 / 18	20-18	18-20	+ -
Nance Jr. has been held out of the previous four games with tightness in his right hamstring and it is unclear if he will return for Friday's matchup against the Suns.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Prob Wed	Hip - 10 / 03 / 18	21-19	18-22	+ -
Osman has been sidelined with a left hip strain but is likely to return against the Hornets on Wednesday.
LeBron James (SF)	Prob Tues	Leg - 12 / 02 / 18	25-24	22-27	+ -
James suffered a leg injury in the previous game but is expected to play Tuesday against the Thunder.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Thurs	Thumb - 01 / 05 / 18	7-4	5-6	+ -
Smart is dealing with an injured thumb but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers.
Marcus Morris (PF)	Prob Sat	Thigh - 27 / 04 / 18	8-5	6-7	+ -
Morris is battling a thigh injury but is expected to be available for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bucks.
Greg Monroe (C)	Ques Tues	Illness - 17 / 04 / 18	12-6	10-8	+ -
Monroe is ailing from an illness and it is uncertain if he will play against the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Terry Rozier (PG)	Prob Sun	Finger - 12 / 04 / 18	13-6	11-8	+ -
Rozier is dealing with a finger injury but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bucks.
Guerschon Yabusele (PF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 08 / 04 / 18	14-8	14-8	+ -
Yabusele has sat out the last two games due to a knee injury but is expected play Wednesday against the Nets.
Shane Larkin (PG)	Prob Fri	Illness - 02 / 04 / 18	16-9	16-9	+ -
Larkin has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to an illness but is expected to play Friday against the Bulls.
Jabari Bird (SG)	Prob Sun	Back - 14 / 03 / 18	22-12	18-16	+ -
Bird has missed the last two games with a back injury but is likely to play against the Pelicans on Sunday.
Daniel Theis (PF)	out for season	Knee - 11 / 03 / 18	23-12	19-16	+ -
Theis had season-ending surgery after suffering a torn left meniscus.
Aron Baynes (C)	Prob Mon	Elbow - 23 / 02 / 18	28-14	24-17-1	+ -
Baynes missed the last game with left elbow soreness but is expected to suit up for Monday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
Al Horford (PF)	Ques Sat	Head - 24 / 01 / 18	35-19	30-23-1	+ -
Horford sat out the last game due to a head injury and his status for Saturday's contest against the Warriors is uncertain.

Cavaliers vs. Celtics Prediction