Opening Line: Boston -1.5
Current Line: Click Here
Tonight’s marquee matchup in the NBA takes us to Boston as the World Champion Celtics entertain the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two best teams will square off for the third time this year. The home team has won both games with Boston winning back on October 90-85 and Cleveland returning the favor on January 9th 98-83 behind LeBron James’ 38 points. The Cavs have covered 9 of the last 10 meetings with Boston including 7 straight.
Cleveland has been on fire lately, winning 9 of their last 10 and covering the spread in 8 of those games. Defense has been the key to their recent success as they have allowed only 86.7 points per game in their last 10. That’s over 3 points a game less then their season average. As a result, 6 of their last 10 games have gone under the total.
The Celtics have been struggling a little since Kevin Garnett went down with an injured knee. They’re 4-2 without Garnett, but lost to the Clippers and just barely beat the Pacers and Nets. The Celtics are going to need Garnett to get healthy before the playoffs start or repeating as champions could be very difficult. Paul Pierce is coming off a huge game against the Nets pouring in 31 points on 12 of 14 shooting.
It would be nice to see these teams at full strength tonight, but even without Garnett, this should be an entertaining game. I expect this to be the LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce show. Both these guys love the spotlight. I’ll put my money on LeBron.
Prediction: Cavaliers +1.5
Here are some other trends to consider in this game:
Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 75 points in their previous game.
Cavaliers are 22-5 ATS in their last 27 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Cavaliers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 Friday games.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Cavaliers are 22-7 ATS in their last 29 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Cavaliers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win.
Cavaliers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Cavaliers are 45-20 ATS in their last 65 games overall.
Cavaliers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Cavaliers are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
Cavaliers are 37-18-1 ATS in their last 56 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Cavaliers are 35-17 ATS in their last 52 vs. Eastern Conference.
Celtics are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. win.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Celtics are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Celtics are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Celtics are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Boston.
Cavaliers are 17-5-2 ATS in the last 24 meetings.
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