The Cleveland Cavaliers (39-25) and Boston Celtics (44-18) square off Wednesday. Tip-off from TD Garden in Boston will be at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Cavaliers vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Cavaliers snapped their 3-game losing skid Sunday by beating the Toronto Raptors 118-93 as 7.5-point home favorites. They’re now 7-3 straight up and 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games. Cleveland ranks 26th in points per game (111.9) but it allows the fewest points per game in the NBA (106.5).
The Celtics snapped their 3-game win streak with a 109-94 loss at the New York Knicks Monday as 2-point favorites. Boston has still won 7 of its last 10 games and has covered the spread in 7 of its last 10, too. The Celtics own the 4th-highest-scoring offense in the Association (117.7 points per game)
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Cavaliers at Celtics odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Celtics -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +5.5 (-118) | Celtics -5.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Cavaliers at Celtics key injuries
Cavaliers
- None
Celtics
- C Mike Muscala (knee) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 115, Cavaliers 111
Moneyline
PASS.
These are two good defensive teams who are pretty evenly matched, as evidenced by their first 2 meetings of the season which both went into overtime. The Cavaliers won both games, 132-123 (in Boston, Oct. 28) and 114-113 (in Cleveland, Nov. 2), so the Celtics will be trying to snap their head-to-head skid to Cleveland.
I’m not confident enough in the Celtics (-200) to bet them outright at such a big price tag.
Against the spread
The Cavaliers covered the spread as underdogs in each of their first 2 meetings with the Celtics this season and own an ATS record of 33-28-3. The Celtics have also been a good bet against the spread with a record of 33-28-1, though Boston has been 1 game better ATS in the last 10.
Cleveland’s defense will keep this one close and that’s what helped the Cavs cover the spread in their first 2 meetings with Boston.
BET CAVALIERS +5.5 (-118).
Over/Under
The total has gone Over in 5 of the Cavaliers’ last 10 games and in 6 of the Celtics’ last 10. In their 2 meetings earlier this season, the total went Over both times, clearing by 7 points and 36.5 points, respectively.
The total has gone over in 21 of the Celtics’ 31 home games this season, and I think that will continue Wednesday — especially with the total set lower than usual due to both teams’ defenses.
BET OVER 218.5 (-110).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this NBA game or any other matchups? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @camdasilva on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]