The Cleveland Cavaliers (25-12) visit Boston to take on the Celtics (30-10) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against stifling defense. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics ATS Prediction
The Cavaliers come in on a high note after topping the Portland Trail Blazers in their last contest, 127-110. The Cavaliers knocked down 28 of their 37 free throws (75.7 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 9.2 (better than their season average of 13.1). Cleveland rallied around LeBron James, who was the team’s high scorer with 24 points on 10-for-17 shooting.
In the Celtics’ last game, they won a close one over the Brooklyn Nets, 108-105. Boston’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Brooklyn. The Celtics had a rate of 0.582 (above their season average of 0.522), while the Nets posted a mark of 0.468. Kyrie Irving was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 10-for-21 shooting.
Cleveland could struggle to create turnovers. Boston ranks ninth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.7 percent), while Cleveland forces the seventh-fewest turnovers (13.6 percent). Also, the Cavaliers’ third-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 112.1) will go head-to-head against the Celtics’ top-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 101.4).
Cleveland is 25-12 straight up (SU), but they are just 11-24-1 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Cavaliers have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Boston is 30-10 SU and 24-14-2 ATS. Similarly to to Cleveland, there does not appear to be a trend for games featuring the Celtics in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. James scored a game-high 29 points in the first game, in which the Cavaliers beat the Celtics 102-99 but did not cover as 4.5-point favorites. He also put up 16 rebounds and nine assists. The game finished with a total of 201 points, which was 15 points below the projected point total of 216 points. The Cavaliers made 21 of their 25 free throws (84.0 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (19.6 vs. 18.0).
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 9-9 ATS on the road with 10 unders and 8 overs.
Boston is 11-8-2 ATS at home with 12 overs and 9 unders.
Boston is 21-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Cleveland is 10-1.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Celtics are 22-4 and the Cavaliers are 25-8.
Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (20.3) while Cleveland ranks 29th (25.4).
The Celtics rank sixth in three pointers allowed per game (26.6) while the Cavaliers rank last (32.1).
Cleveland ranks 11th in points off turnovers per game (17.4) while Boston ranks 28th (14.2).
The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.5) while the Cavaliers rank 18th (45.0).
Boston ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (10.8) while Cleveland ranks 15th (12.2).
The Celtics rank 19th in blocks per game (4.6) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (3.7).
Boston ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (9.3) while Cleveland ranks 11th (10.4).
The Celtics average 44.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 14th in rebounds allowed per game (42.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Boston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Cavaliers have been outscored by an average of 0.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Cleveland has defeated opponents by an average of 3.2 points.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
