Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics. Shape of the Teams
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to tie the series in an important game four, hosting the Boston Celtics at home after a heavy defeat in game three. Darius Garland and the majority of Cleveland’s bench will need to really step it up for game four, or else they could find themselves facing down a 3-1 series deficit.
Even without Boston’s all-star big man, Kristaps Porziņģis, Boston has been able to overwhelm the Cavaliers squad, scoring from everywhere on the floor. From corner threes to transition buckets, Boston didn’t have a hard time putting the ball in the hoop.
It’s also quite hard to walk out with a dub when every single member of your starting five has a double-digit negative +-, yes, even Mitchell.
That’s not to say the Cavaliers don’t have a shot at pushing the series to seven games. The Cavs just need to make sure Donovan Mitchell gets some real help on the offensive side of things.
Jarrett Allen could also be a big help in game four if he manages to play, as the guy is currently sitting as “questionable.” Al Horford is really starting to show his age, so if Cleveland can get a big guy in the middle, they could really disrupt the heavy-favourite Celtics.
Odds via Tonybet
| Cavaliers vs Pacers | May 13, 8:00 p.m EDT |
| Cleveland Cavaliers odds | +285 |
| Boston Celtics odds | -357 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers spread -7.5 | -127 |
| Boston Celtics spread +7.5 | +103 |
However, even with all of that being said, we do have to agree with the bookmakers on this one, the Cavs’ chances of winning seem to be slim to none. Unless somebody like Mitchell has a miracle game, it looks like they could be facing a 3-1 score for game five in Boston.
All you have to do is look at the lineups both rosters are currently starting. Even with Porziņģis out with an injury, Boston has one of the best starting fives in the NBA. With a starting five showcasing Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, there’s really not much many NBA teams could do to fight back.
Unlike with a team like Cleveland, where you really only have to key in on one or two players, you can’t shut down Boston’s defence with a simple scheme, you need the personnel.
Unless the Cavs find something in their bag of tricks, we have to go with the Boston Celtics on this one – there are just too many mismatches across the floor.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
- Pick: Boston Celtics -7.5
- Odds: -127 (Tonybet)
Whether you’re looking at +-, raw stats, or even just the eye test, it’s pretty obvious Cleveland has bitten off more than they can chew with the Boston Celtics. And to make matters even worse, Mitchell remains questionable for game four with a strained left calf.
But even if Mitchell does play, his skill alone doesn’t look like it will be enough to equalize the series at two games a piece. As we mentioned before, Boston simply has too much depth on both sides of the ball; they can clamp down on defence and drop 120+ points on you on any given night.
In terms of matchups, Jrue Holiday will likely again guard Mitchell if he plays and Darius Garland if he doesn’t, leaving Brown and Tatum to play the passing lanes, and play help-side. This helps Boston’s presence in the key, as Al Horford doesn’t exactly have the same athleticism he once did.
Nonetheless, it’s not like it’s impossible for the Cavaliers to win, they just need a couple of guys to have an outstanding night. We’re talking about Mitchell, Garland, and one other guy all having a 25+ point game, or the bench really picking it up.
If Tristan Thomspon, Marcus Morris Sr., and Sam Merrill manage to score more than 0 points cumulatively in 22 minutes, that could also help too.
MON3Y FROM DG. 🎯@dariusgarland22 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/hYXn3B4Zud
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 12, 2024
It really seems like the odds are stacked against the Cavaliers on all fronts, whether it’s injuries, depth, or even just matchups.
Overall, we don’t want to hurt Cavalier fans’ feelings too much, but we have to give the advantage to the heavy-favourite Boston Celtics. It seems like Tatum may finally lead his roster to the promised land.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Player Pick
- Pick: Donovan Mitchell to score under 29.5
- Odds: -115 (Tonybet)
While we may not have a ton of confidence in the Cavaliers as a team, that doesn’t extend to Donovan Mitchell himself. The guy has been able to carry the Cavaliers thus far in the playoffs basically, and while his team may not take home the win, 29.5 points isn’t too far-fetched.
For those who may not know, a 3-1 deficit is basically a death sentence in basketball, so teams and players will try their utmost to avoid it. 2-2 sets up a deep series. Therefore, Mitchell will likely play his absolute heart out, and when it comes down to it, he will likely take a ton of shots, trying to keep his squad in the game.
🗣️ #LETEMKNOW pic.twitter.com/TjecTkQeaa
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 12, 2024
Jrue Holiday will definitely try to slow him down, but even with his hounding presence last game, Mitchell was able to drop 33. Despite his size, Mitchell can blow past you if you close out too hard, dropping an acrobatic layup or floater, and if you don’t close out several feet beyond three, he’ll torch you.
As long as Mitchell manages to lace up and play his game without injuries slowing him down, 29.5 points isn’t too high of a hurdle for him.
Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.
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