Boston (2-1) at Cleveland (1-2)
When: Monday, May 13th 2024
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse,
Cleveland, OH
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Boston -8/209.5
With three blowouts in three games, the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Eastern Conference semifinal series has certainly lacked drama. Game 4 is set for Monday night and the Cavaliers need another bounce back game like they did in Game 2. Boston was the team that bounced back on Saturday after losing Game 2 at home 118-94. After allowing 28 points in the opening quarter Saturday, Boston held Cleveland to 65 points the rest of the way in a 106-93 win as 8-point favorites. That is the same line set for Game 4 on Monday with a total of 207.
Oddly enough, the Celtics have done their best postseason work on the road. Boston is 3-0 in road playoff games this season, and 17-7 over the last three postseasons. On the other hand, the Celtics are just 14-14 in home playoff games during that same three-year stretch. Boston finishing off Cleveland in this game is -315, six games is +325, and seven is +1100. Cleveland is now +1600 to win the series after entering Game 3 at +800. If a Game 6 is needed, it will be Wednesday night in Boston.
BOSTON CELTICS
After a disappointing Game 2, Jayson Tatum was back to his usual self on Saturday. He finished with 33 points, 13 boards, and six assists and hit fadeaway jumpers in critical moments. His 13 rebounds helped Boston outrebound Cleveland 44-35. Jaylen Brown was also good with 28 points and nine rebounds. Jrue Holiday finished with 18 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting. The Celtics shot 51.2 percent from the field and made 13 of their 34 attempts from 3-point range.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points to lead the Cavaliers but appeared to aggravate a left knee injury in the fourth quarter. Mitchell left the court with 1:19 to play and walked straight to the locker room. Mitchell made 7-of-12 from beyond the arc, but the rest of the Cavaliers shot 5-of-24. Caris LeVert scored 15 points off the bench, but Max Strus and Isaac Okoro combined for eight points. All five starters had a minus-10 rating or worse and the Cavs shot just 42.9 percent for the game.
Prediction:
This series is playing out exactly the way the Boston/Miami series did. The Celtics lost Game 2 and dominated the next three. I expect Boston to do the same here. Mitchell is now banged up for Cleveland and they have zero chance without him. Look for Boston to close out this series with a double-digit win.
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