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The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers meet for Game 3 of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference, 2nd-round series Saturday. The series is tied 1-1. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics are unbeaten in the playoffs — unless we’re talking about Game 2’s. Boston lost to the Miami Heat 111-101 in Game 2 at home as a 14-point favorite in the 1st round, and it lost 118-94 in Game 2 at home as a 13-point favorite to Cleveland in this round Thursday. Boston is 5-0 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) in all of its other games in these playoffs.
Cleveland improved from 41.1% FG shooting in Game 1, to 54.7% from the field in Game 2. The Cavs were just 26.2% (11-of-42) from behind the 3-point line in Game 1 but was 46.4% (13-of-28) from downtown in Game 2.
The Cavs’ Game 2 win is even more impressive since the Celtics turned it over just 7 times. Cleveland did finish with a surprising 44-to-31 edge in the rebound department.
Also impressive for the Cavaliers — and surprising to most — was that C Jarrett Allen sat out with a right rib contusion. SG Donovan Mitchell was tremendous in Game 2, going for 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 5 3-pointers. PF Evan Mobley was good for the only double-double in Game 2, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in 33 minutes. Allen will sit again in Game 3.
Celtics at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Cavaliers +275 (bet $100 to win $275)
- Against the spread: Celtics -7.5 (-115) | Cavaliers +7.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Celtics at Cavaliers key injuries
Celtics
- C Kristaps Porzingis (calf) out
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (ribs) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Celtics at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 114, Cavaliers 103
Moneyline
The Celtics (-350) will cost 3½ times your potential return as Boston looks to reign down fire on the Cavaliers (+275) after the Game 2 loss on its home court.
After an embarrassing loss in Game 2 in the 1st round to the Heat as a double-digit favorite, Boston went down to Miami and rolled 104-84 as a 9.5-point road favorite in Game 3. Look for history to repeat itself.
PASS.
Against the spread
The CELTICS -7.5 (-115) are a strong play as they look to bounce back in Game 3.
After a straight-up loss as a double-digit favorite, Boston is 3-1 SU/ATS in 4 instances this season, including the 20-point win in Miami in Game 3.
Despite the win and cover in Game 2, Cleveland is still just 2-5 ATS in the past 7 outings.
Over/Under
OVER 210.5 (-115) is worth a look in Game 3.
The Over has cashed in 2 of the past 3 games for the Celtics, going for 118 or more points on offense in those pair of Over results.
The Over cashed in the final 2 home games of the series against the Orlando Magic, while cashing in 10 of the past 13 outings at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse dating back to March 8.
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