The Boston Celtics (21-7) clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-21) at TD Garden. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, December 27, 2019.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 216 points with Boston opening as a 13.5-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Prediction
The Cavaliers will be hoping for a similar outcome after just getting past the Atlanta Hawks in their last contest, 121-118, as 2-point underdogs. The game’s total points (239) finished over the projected point total of 232. Cleveland’s 17.9 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Atlanta, who had a mark of 12.2. The Cavaliers’ mark was below their season average of 23.9, while the Hawks’ was below their season average of 21.9. Cleveland received a boost from Collin Sexton, who led the team in scoring with 25 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
In the Celtics’ last game, they beat the Toronto Raptors, 118-102, easily covering as 4-point favorites. The game’s total points (220) were over the projected point total of 214.5. Boston’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Celtics had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (32 vs. 27) and total rebounds (45 vs. 34). Jaylen Brown was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points on 10-for-13 shooting from the field.
The Celtics have emerged victorious in both contests against the Cavaliers this year, including a 22-point blowout in their last matchup. Boston covered as a 13-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 198 points, which was 18 points below the projected point total of 216 points. Boston launched 27 three pointers, making 15 of them (55.6 percent). Cleveland was, on the other hand, 7-31 (22.6 percent). Jayson Tatum put up a double-double in the victory with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Cleveland heads into the game with records of 9-21 straight up (SU) and 12-16-2 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Cavaliers’ games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Boston is 21-7 SU and 18-9-1 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total high when the Celtics are involved, as 57.1 percent of their games have finished under the total.
Boston could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense squares off against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Celtics currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Cleveland ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Free Pick
Free NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Cleveland is 5-8-1 ATS on the road with 8 overs and 6 unders.
At home, Boston is 9-4 ATS with 7 unders and 6 overs.
When allowing under 100 points, Boston is 8-1 and Cleveland is 3-3.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Cavaliers are 9-12 and the Celtics are 20-4.
Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while Cleveland ranks 27th (8.8).
The Celtics rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (52.4).
Boston ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (11.6) while Cleveland ranks 28th (15.8).
The Celtics rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (19.4).
Boston ranks sixth in blocks per game (6.0) while Cleveland ranks last (3.4).
The Celtics rank fifth in assists allowed per game (22.6) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (25.9).
Cleveland ranks 18th in three pointers attempted per game (32.5) while Boston ranks 19th in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
The Cavaliers rank 14th in second chance points per game (13.3) while the Celtics rank 15th in second chance points allowed per game (13.1).
Over its last five games, Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Boston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, down from 9.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 113.8 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
