There are some interesting games scheduled for tonight in the NBA, but without a doubt, the most anticipated one is the duel between two top-seeded teams in the East, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, scheduled for Wednesday, 00:00 AM BST.
So, I've prepared a few Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions for you, along with a detailed Celtics vs Cavs preview, including team form, injuries and other news, plus the latest Celtics vs Cavaliers odds.
So, let's take a closer look at this game and what we can expect from it.
Celtics vs Cavaliers predictions
Handicap
Cavaliers to win (+5.5)
9/10
Total points
Under 234
9/10
To record 20+ points
Darius Garland
5/4
All odds for my Celtics vs Cavs picks were taken from Paddy Power and are subject to change at any time.
Cleveland Cavaliers to win with handicap (+5.5)
These two teams have met in the playoffs last season and the Cavs didn't have a good time since Boston recorded a “gentlemen's sweep”, winning 4-1. However, the Cavs are in better form this season, still undefeated after 15 games, while the Celtics have recorded three losses. Also, if we go back to their duels before last year's playoff, we can see that the Cavs have won or gone under the 5.5-point handicap five times in seven games.
The Cavs do have a few rotation pieces out with injuries, but their main guys are all ready for this game, while the Celtics are still without Kristaps Porzingis. This can be crucial since the Cavaliers are very strong in the paint, with Jarret Allen and Evan Mobley leading the way. For this reason, my first Celtics vs Cavs prediction is for the Cavs to win the game with handicap.
Under 234 total points
While this is a duel between two of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA, with Boston averaging 121.6 and Cleveland 123.7 points per game, I don't see this being a high-scoring game. After all, both the Celtics and the Cavs allow opponents 111.4 points per game and with this being a duel between top two seeds in the East, I expect a battle similar to the playoffs where low scoring totals are common.
After all, all five games between these two teams in the playoffs last season have gone well below 234 points and even if we go further back, we can see that only one of the last eleven duels between Boston and Cleveland have gone over 234 total points. So, under 234 total points is the second of my Celtics vs Cavs tips for tonight.
Darius Garland to score 20+ points
The last of my Celtics vs Cavaliers picks is for Garland to score at least 20 points in this game. The young playmaker is having his arguably best season yet and he's playing with much more freedom and responsibility, even with Donovan Mitchell in the lineup.
After all, Garland has averaged 21.4 points per game this season and has scored 20 or more points in five of the last six games. While the Celtics have the ability to contain opposing team's guards, especially at home, I still see Garland doing well tonight.
Celtics vs Cavaliers preview – teams news, injuries, and predicted lineups
Boston Celtics preview and latest news
The reigning NBA champions have started the new season as well as expected since they've only lost three games so far and are currently second in the East behind their next opponent, the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis remains out since he's still recovering from a foot injury, while Payton Pritchard is listed as game-time decision.
The Celtics enter this match with an 11-3 record.
Celtics starting lineup: Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Queta
Cleveland Cavaliers preview and latest news
The undefeated Cavaliers are chasing history since they've won 15 in a row and now have the second-longest winning streak in history to start the season, behind only 24 wins recorded by the record-breaking 2015/2016 Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland enter this game with a depleted bench since they're without Dean Wade, Max Strus, and Emoni Bates, while Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, and Sam Merrill are all game-time decisions.
The Cavs enter this match with a 15-0 record.
Cavaliers starting lineup: Garland, Mitchell, Craig, Mobley, Allen
An avid sports fan and bettor, with a soft spot for basketball, tennis, and football. New to the MFT's unique community and very glad to be here.
