Cleveland (0-0) at Boston (0-0)
When: Sunday, May 13th 2018
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Time: 3:35 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Cleveland PK/204
The Boston Celtics had no answer for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, but with a more balanced team this time around, hopes are much higher. The teams will tip-off Game 1 of this year’s edition on Mother’s Day, May 13th from TD Garden in Boston, where the Cavaliers humiliated the Celtics last spring. Cleveland won three games in Boston by an average of 30 points in last year’s postseason, and 22 in their most recent meeting there on February 11th. They split the other two meetings with each winning on their own home floor. James carried the load through the first two rounds of this year’s playoffs while averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and nine assists, including a pair of buzzer-beaters along the way. James is seeking an unprecedented eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals, but the Celtics are an inspired young group of guys who are standing in his way. Boston took care of the Philadelphia 76ers in five games in the semifinals, riding a much more balanced attack led by rookie Jayson Tatum (23.6 points per game versus the 76ers). Point guard Terry Rozier has blossomed since replacing injured All-Star and former Cavalier Kyrie Irving, averaging 18.2 points in the playoffs.
Kevin Love averaged 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds in last season’s conference finals against Boston in helping out James, and did the same in the last series against the Toronto Raptors after struggling in the first round. Love scored at least 21 points in each of the final three games of that four-game sweep after averaging 10.9 points on 31.9% shooting in his first eight games this postseason. Shooting guard J.R. Smith woke up in the Toronto series as well, scoring 15 or more points in three of the four games including a perfect 6-for-6 performance in the clincher.
The Celtics’ defense failed to slow down LeBron in last year’s postseason, but have improved on that this time around, ranking third during the regular season in points allowed, second in defensive field goal percentage, and tops in defending the 3. Center Al Horford will be one of a few who are asked to slow down James, and is averaging 17 points on 57.8% shooting in the playoffs.
There’s no way this Boston team gets embarrassed like they did last year. This year’s team is much better, while in my opinion, Cleveland is not as good as last year. The Cavaliers have the best player, but Boston has the better all-around team. Of course, I thought Indiana and Toronto were better also. I like Boston in this series and I think they get off to a good start with a Game 1 victory.
Pick: Celtics +1.5
- Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Cavaliers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Cavaliers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Cavaliers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Conference Finals games.
- Cavaliers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Celtics are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.
- Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Central.
- Celtics are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Celtics are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games overall.
- Celtics are 49-22-2 ATS in their last 73 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 50-23-1 ATS in their last 74 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 35-17-1 ATS in their last 53 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Conference Finals games.
- Under is 5-0 in Cavaliers last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Over is 5-1 in Cavaliers last 6 overall.
- Over is 5-1 in Cavaliers last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Under is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 13-5 in Cavaliers last 18 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 5-2 in Cavaliers last 7 road games.
- Over is 10-4 in Cavaliers last 14 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Under is 5-2 in Cavaliers last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Celtics last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Over is 5-0 in Celtics last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 9-2 in Celtics last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 8-2 in Celtics last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 7-2 in Celtics last 9 vs. NBA Central.
- Over is 16-5 in Celtics last 21 home games.
- Over is 12-4 in Celtics last 16 overall.
- Over is 12-4 in Celtics last 16 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 8-3 in Celtics last 11 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 8-3 in Celtics last 11 Conference Finals games.
- Over is 8-3 in Celtics last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Boston.
- Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Boston.
- Road team is 15-5-1 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
