They looked old, faded and downtrodden in Games 1 and 2, but arrived to the series in a big way on Saturday. While it was starting to look like a walk in the park for the Celtics, we know have the makings of what could be a long, competitive series.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Cleveland is 8-2 in its last 10 home games dating back to the regular season. However, the Cavaliers are just 24-35 against the spread in their last 59 games following a win. For what it’s worth, they have covered four straight times on Mondays.

The Celtics have been solid following a loss, posting a 21-9-1 ATS record in their last 31. They are 9-1-1 ATS and 10-2 SU in their last 12 following a loss by 10 or more.

Boston Celtics

After holding the Cavaliers to an average of 88.5 points per game in back-to-back wins to open the series, Boston allowed 116 points in the Game 3 loss. Marcus Morris, in particular, was open about his desire to do a better job defending LeBron James, the reality is that the Celtics will need to be much better as a team when it comes to keeping the Cleveland offense in check. James didn’t have a huge game in Game 3 but all five starters scored in double figures.

Meanwhile, Boston will need to be a much more disciplined team at both ends of the floor in Game 4. Jaylen Brown was in foul trouble for most of Game 3 and the Celtics shot just 39.2% from the floor. History is certainly on the side of Boston moving forward in this series as only 19 of a possible 300 teams have ever come back from a 0-2 deficit in the NBA postseason to win a series. However, any LeBron James team is clearly capable of making history.

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron led the way for Cleveland with strong effort in Game 3 as he scored 27 points with 12 assists and five rebounds. Kevin Love had 13 points and 14 rebounds. It wasn’t just the big guns that came through for the Cavaliers in Game 3 and that will be important to remember looking forward to Game 4. Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith combined for 25 points in the win including shooting seven-of-eight from beyond the arc. George Hill was a surprise contributor with 13, Tristan Thompson had 10 and Larry Nance Jr. had eight points, six rebounds, three assist and three steals. Cleveland will need a similar performance from those depth players on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers did a much better job defending Boston as a team and that effort level will need to carry over. The Celtics were held to just 86 points in Game 3 after they averaged 107.5 points in their first two wins of the series. The Cavs did a much better job of protecting the arc, allowing just six-of-22 from three. The Cavs were -7 from three in Games 1 and 2 combined, but ended up +11 (33 points) in Game 3. We’ll see if the young Celtics can respond but it seems like it will be a tall order for them to go ahead 3-1 on Monday.

Injuries

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

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

Injuries

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.

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.

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Game 4 Prediction