These clubs squared off only last Wednesday in Massachusetts, a contest taken by the hosts 117-113. It ended up being a lot closer than it probably should have given that the Celtics led by as many as 21 in the second half.
As per the NBA odds the over-under is set at 218.5 and, most importantly, Cleveland benefits from -6 favourites status.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds
Last week’s game played out a little bit like Boston’s Friday night tilt with Brooklyn, insofar as they allowed a considerable lead melt away as the contest drew on. At least against the Cavs, they were able to make it across the finish line. Monday night’s is an opportunity for either Boston to level the season series at two games apiece or for the Cavaliers to be the second club to claim a 3-1 season series win after the Knicks earned that status on Sunday night.
Joe Mazzulla’s ensemble has fallen in three of its four previous games. The club is also back to its usual ways of disappointing against the spread, as they’ve failed to cover four in a row and five of six.
Cleveland fans are happy to report their side has been more effective at handling spreads, having covered three straight opportunities. That streak improves their season tally to 35-29-2, which doesn’t make them all that different from Boston insofar as their actual win-loss record is far superior at 40-26.
Boston Celtics
If the Celtics do not claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference, they could very well look back at this past weekend during which they allowed two huge home games to slip away. Friday was the uglier of the scenarios in that they allowed the new-look and not nearly as-good Nets storm back from 28 points to win 115-105. That’s a 38-point swing at home.
Sunday evening was a different matter, but the result was no less disheartening. The arch-rival Knicks were in Beantown. It was a titanic struggle between two sides that broached the challenge with playoff intensity. New York’s Immanuel Quickley had a career night, netting 38 points off 15-28 shooting. Quickley found lanes and was never deterred when Celtics defenders were in his face. He also burned Boston five times from beyond the arc. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett were not far behind with 31 and 29 points, respectively. The contest required two overtime sessions. Jayson Tatum has a chance to win it at the end of the first period but his layup didn’t go in. In the dying seconds of the second overtime stanza, Al Horford had a good look on a three but laid a brick. Knicks win, 131-129.
Cleveland Cavaliers
It will be interesting to see how the Cavaliers approach this game given their recent results. They defeated a somewhat mediocre Toronto club a week ago on Monday, fell to these same Celtics, then battered the lowly Pistons, and now must do battle with Boston again.
A club of Cleveland’s stature was supposed to handle Detroit on Saturday night regardless. The Pistons were never any match for the hosts and, after an okay first half performance (they only trailed by seven) were torn apart piece by piece in the third period. Cleveland outshot the guests by wide margins both overall (49.5 per cent to 40.7) and from three-point range (41.2 per cent to 25.0). True to their defensive prowess, the Cavs doubled their opponent’s turnovers (24 to 12). No one Cavalier blew up the scoresheet. Darius Garland led the way with only 21 points. Evan Mobley was his usual efficient self on the glass with 11 rebounds. What helped a lot was that six bench players scored at least one basket. Cleveland takes it, 114-90.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Cavaliers?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
28.26 |
| Assists |
7.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.79 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.46 |
| Blocks |
1.51 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
23.2 |
| Assists |
7.2 |
| Rebounds |
10 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cavaliers Team Leaders
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
28.26 |
| Assists |
7.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.79 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.46 |
| Blocks |
1.51 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
23.2 |
| Assists |
7.2 |
| Rebounds |
10 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Blake Griffin (PF)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Al Horford (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Cedi Osman (SF)
Jarrett Allen (C)
Darius Garland (PG)
Caris LeVert (SG)
Dylan Windler (SG)
Jarrett Allen (C)
Isaac Okoro (SF)
Dean Wade (SF)
Danny Green (SG)
Raul Neto (PG)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 28.26
Assists 7.8
Rebounds 9.79
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.46
Blocks 1.51
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
Points 23.2
Assists 7.2
Rebounds 10
FG% 100
Steals 2
Blocks 1.2
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cavaliers Team Leaders
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 28.26
Assists 7.8
Rebounds 9.79
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.46
Blocks 1.51
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
Points 23.2
Assists 7.2
Rebounds 10
FG% 100
Steals 2
Blocks 1.2
-
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23Blake Griffin (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23Al Horford (C)
Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23Derrick White (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23Cedi Osman (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 20 / 04 / 23Jarrett Allen (C)
Prob Sun Groin - 05 / 04 / 23Darius Garland (PG)
Prob Sat Leg - 05 / 04 / 23Caris LeVert (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 04 / 23Dylan Windler (SG)
Out indefinitely Foot - 01 / 04 / 23Jarrett Allen (C)
Ques Sun Groin - 27 / 03 / 23Isaac Okoro (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 03 / 23Dean Wade (SF)
Prob Fri Illness - 26 / 03 / 23Danny Green (SG)
Out indefinitely Illness - 26 / 03 / 23Raul Neto (PG)
Ques Fri Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23Injuries
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.
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.