The Boston Celtics (21-7) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-21) Friday at TD Garden for a 4 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Cavaliers-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Cavaliers at Celtics: Key injuries
Cavaliers
- PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) questionable
- SF Dylan Windler (leg) out
Celtics
- C Vincent Poirier (finger) out
- PG Marcus Smart (eye) questionable
- C Robert Williams (hip) out
Cavaliers at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Celtics 116, Cavaliers 92
Moneyline (ML)
The Celtics (-1112) have won four straight games, including a 118-102 victory over the rival Toronto Raptors on Christmas Day. They’re 12-1 at home for the season and 8-2 across their last 10 games. The Cavaliers (+700) have strung together their first three-game winning streak of the season, topping the Atlanta Hawks 121-118 Monday. They’re just 3-11 as the road team this season and 4-6 across their last 10 games.
These odds are just too chalky to warrant a play, as a $10 bet on the Celtics to simply win outright — which they will — will return a profit of less than $1. It’s not worth even the small amount of risk involved. Go for a bigger profit margin on the spread.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The CELTICS (-14.5, +100) are a much better play when needing to win by at least 15 points. The same $10 bet would return a profit of $10, doubling your money.
Boston is 18-8 against the spread for the season and 9-3 at home. Cleveland is 12-17 ATS overall and just 5-9 on the road. The Celts won by at least 15 points in each of their last three games, while four of Cleveland’s last five losses were by margins of at least 15 points. The Celtics have beaten the Cavs by 6 and 22 points in two prior meetings this season.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 214.5 (+105) as the better value play at plus-money. The two prior games this season played to either side of Friday’s projected total, but it was the more recent meeting which fell well short in a 110-88 win for the Celtics. The Cavs average just 104.5 points per game and will be stymied by a Celtics squad allowing just 103.2 PPG.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 116-79
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