Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/15/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Venue:  TD Garden, Boston, MA

Where to Watch:  TNT, MAX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +15.5, Celtics -15.5; Over/Under:  206 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +15.5, Celtics -15.5; Over/Under:  206 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +15.5, Celtics -15.5; Over/Under:  205.5 points

Cleveland Cavaliers:  48-34 (2nd place, Central Division)

Boston Celtics:  64-18 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

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Cleveland Cavaliers:  4-6 last 10

Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

The Cavaliers are entering this game with a 48-34 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 22-19 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Boston Celtics in their last 2 games. In their last game against the Celtics in game 4 of this series, Darius Garland led the team in points in that game with 30 while Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert each were next on the team with 19 points. Max Strus and Darius Garland each led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Evan Mobley led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 43.6% from the field, 31.3% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.2 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 43-48-2 this season and their O/U record is 45-47-1.

The Celtics are entering this game with a 64-18 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 37-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last 2 games. In their last game against the Cavaliers in game 4 of this series, Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 33 while Jaylen Brown was next on the team with 27 points. Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday each led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 48.7% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.2 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 47-39-5 this season and their O/U record is 47-44.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 15.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 5 of a 7 game series between the 1st seeded Celtics and the 4th seeded Cavaliers for Round 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics have a 3-1 series lead after winning game 4 of this series on the road. The Celtics have looked great in these playoff games they have played in both of their series'. They won their series in the 1st round 4-1 and they are well on their way to winning this series 4-1 as they now have the Cavaliers on the verge of elimination going back to Boston. The Cavaliers were able to steal the last game in Boston and make this a series going back to Cleveland, but the Celtics ended any conversations of a possible upset with those 2 road wins, and it doesn't help the Cavaliers now that Donovan Mitchell is banged up and even missed the last game. Mitchell could be back in this game but even if he is, the Celtics have shown they are just too much for the Cavaliers in this series. The Celtics were the best team in the regular season, the only team to finish with over 60 wins, and they also had the best home record with their 37-4 home record. The Celtics are going to close out this series in this game on their home court whether Mitchell plays or not, and if Mitchell doesn't play then the Cavs really have no chance. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.

Cavaliers Celtics Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 125 Cavaliers 97.

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Cleveland Cavaliers: 32-18 ATS in the second round of the playoffs. 10-5 ATS when playing with double revenge - 2 straight losses vs. opponent. 23-14 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 35-21 OVER off a home cover where the team lost straight up as an underdog. 8-3 OVER after scoring 105 points or less 2 straight games. 

Boston Celtics: 5-11 ATS off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 5-9 ATS after allowing 105 points or less 2 straight games. 2-6 ATS after 2 straight games attempting 80 or less shots. 11-4 OVER after allowing 105 points or less 2 straight games. 11-3 OVER after a game outrebounding opponent by 15 or more. 17-8 OVER as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  D. Mitchell (SG) Ques Wed - Calf. C. Porter Jr. (PG) Out indefinitely - Ankle. J. Allen (C) Out indefinitely - Ribs. T. Jerome (SG) Out indefinitely - Ankle.

Boston Celtics:  K. Porzingis (PF) Late May - Calf.

“There's no better feeling than winning a playoff game on the road. Tough environment and the crowd was great. Now, it's time to go back to Boston and play well in front of our fans and give them something to cheer for.” - Jayson Tatum after their win against the Cavaliers in game 4 of this series on Monday.

“They laid it all out there. They gave us everything that they had. They competed at a high level. They played the game properly. I’m proud of the guys, the way they went out and scrapped and competed and gave ourselves a chance.” - J.B. Bickerstaff after his team’s loss against the Celtics in game 4 of this series on Monday.

PG Darius Garland

SG Donovan Mitchell

SF Max Strus

PF Marcus Morris Sr.

C Evan Mobley

PG Jrue Holiday

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Al Horford

PPG: D. Mitchell (26.6)

APG: D. Garland (6.5)

Reb/G: J. Allen (10.5)

PPG: J. Tatum (26.9)

APG: D. White (5.2)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.1)

Coaches:

Cleveland Cavaliers: J.B. Bickerstaff (5th season)

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)