The Boston Celtics are finishing the season out with a three-game road trip as they first take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With that said, it’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Celtics-Cavaliers prediction and pick.
The Celtics are on a three-game losing streak and have only won three of their last 10 games en route to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-34. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are dealing with their own losing streak of 11 games for a record of 21-48 and the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Celtics-Cavaliers odds.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Cavaliers Odds
Boston Celtics -6 (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers +6 (-110)
Over 219 Points (-113)
Under 219 Points(-113)
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
Celtics’ Injury Report: Jaylen Brown (doubtful), Kemba Walker (out), Marcus Smart, and Robert Williams III (out).
On top of the injury to Brown, the Celtics are now without both Walker and Smart in their starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. All of these injuries are a big reason for the Celtics' inconsistency as they have lost seven of their last ten games.
This Boston team will be without four of their regular starters on Wednesday who have earned very big offensive and defensive roles for Coach Brad Stevens. That said, the Celtics will need a big offensive performance from Jayson Tatum.
Tatum is currently averaging 26.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and almost 40 percent from behind the three-point line. In addition to Tatum, Coach Stevens will have Evan Fournier, Payton Pritchard, and Tristan Thompson at his disposal offensively.
The key for the Celtics to cover the spread against the Cavaliers will then be to run the offense completely through Tatum and to have him get key role players, like Fournier and Pritchard, involved offensively.
Why The Cavaliers Could Cover The Spread
Cavaliers' Injury Report: Darius Garland (out), Lamar Stevens (out), Dylan Windler (out), Taurean Prince (out), Matthew Dellavedova (out), Larry Nance Jr. (out), Cedi Osman (questionable), and Isaiah Hartenstein (out).
The Cavaliers have been on a cold streak as of late dealing with a number of injuries from their star Collin Sexton to now Darius Garland and more. This is terrible news for J. B. Bickerstaff who will now be without a number of their offensive and defensive weapons.
Sexton so far this season has been averaging 24.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the three-point line. The Cavaliers will need him to carry the team offensively on Wednesday against Tatum and the Celtics.
Fortunately for this Cleveland team, the Celtics are dealing with their fair share of injuries and in particular to their starters. Still, Coach Bickerstaff will need to find more offensive production from his other starters, including Kevin Love and Jarrett Allen, if the team wants to cover the spread on Wednesday.
Final Celtics-Cavaliers Prediction & Pick
The Cavaliers have been playing absolutely terrible losing 11 straight games, including against teams with no playoff aspirations anymore like the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors. In spite of the fact that the Celtics will be without many of their starters, Coach Stevens' team is very disciplined with a very talented forward in Tatum controlling the offensive. That said, the Celtics are more likely to cover the spread on Wednesday to end their current losing streak as the Cavaliers will lose their 12th consecutive game.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK FOR CELTICS-CAVALIERS: BOS 114, CLE 104 (BOS -6)
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