Cavaliers vs Celtics NBA Preview, March 6, 2023

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Boston Celtics will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, March 14th. The Celtics are coming off a tough double-overtime loss against the Knicks, where Jayson Tatum had a 40-point showing. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 40-26. This matchup is a crucial one for both teams, as they aim to continue their strong seasons and secure playoff berths.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking for revenge on Monday night after suffering a loss to the Boston Celtics last week. Despite a hot streak leading up to the All-Star break, the Cavaliers have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. However, they were able to get back on track with a convincing win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

Cleveland's success this season has largely been due to their top-ranked defense, as their offense has struggled to produce points consistently. The team is averaging just 112.0 points per game, ranking them 26th in the league. However, they have been able to make up for this with their defensive prowess, holding their opponents to just 106.4 points per game.

Leading the way for the Cavaliers is their dynamic backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Mitchell, who is averaging 27.4 points and 4.8 assists per game, suffered a sprained finger in the third quarter of Saturday's game but is expected to play on Monday night. Garland, who is averaging 22.0 points and 7.9 assists per game, has been a key contributor on both ends of the court.

The Cavaliers have also seen strong performances from rookie Evan Mobley, who has provided a valuable interior presence with his average of 15.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. With their solid defense and talented young players, the Cavaliers will look to get back on track and close the gap on the teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings.

Over their last 10 games, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing solid basketball, with a record of 6-4. During this stretch, they have been averaging 113.0 points, 39.9 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.9 steals, and 4.8 blocks per game. Their impressive shooting percentage of 49.7% from the field has been a key factor in their success.

On the defensive end, the Cavaliers have been holding their opponents to an average of 105.9 points per game, a testament to their strong defensive play. Their ability to generate steals and blocks has also been crucial in disrupting their opponents' offense.

With a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense, the Cavaliers have been a force to be reckoned with in their recent games. As they look to continue their success, they will need to maintain their strong play on both ends of the court.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are currently having a solid season with a record of 45-20 and are sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference. The team is led by their star forward, Jayson Tatum, who is having a breakout season and is considered one of the top players in the league. Tatum is averaging an impressive 30.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, and is a leading candidate for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award.

In addition to Tatum, the Celtics have several other key players who contribute to their success. The team has strong depth, with players like Marcus Smart and Evan Fournier providing valuable contributions off the bench. Center Robert Williams III has also been a force on the defensive end, averaging 1.8 blocks per game.

Defensively, the Celtics are one of the best teams in the league, holding their opponents to just 46.7% shooting and giving up only 112.4 points per game. The Celtics' defense will be key in their matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they will need to contain Cleveland's strong offensive weapons.

The Boston Celtics will be playing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, with the Celtics coming into this game on the back end of a back-to-back after hosting the New York Knicks on Sunday night. The Celtics had won nine of 11 games before losing two of their last three, falling to the Knicks last Monday and Brooklyn on Friday. This is an immediate rematch of when these teams played last Wednesday, with Boston escaping in a 117-113 final. The Celtics were paced by 41 points from Jayson Tatum, who also had 11 rebounds and eight assists.

However, the Celtics were unable to build on that performance, getting upset by Brooklyn as 10-point favorites on Friday night. It was one of their worst showings of the season, as they blew a 28-point lead and scored just 41 points in the second half. The Celtics will need to regroup quickly and focus on their game against the Cavaliers.

The Celtics are battling for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and are currently a half-game back of Milwaukee in the standings. They are also 3.5 games ahead of Philadelphia and 7.5 games ahead of New York in the Atlantic Division. The Celtics will be without center Robert Williams, who suffered an injury and will miss 7-10 days. Malcolm Brogdon also missed Sunday's game due to an ankle injury and is questionable for this contest.

The Celtics have the fourth-highest scoring offense in the NBA, averaging 117.5 points per game. They will be facing a tough Cleveland defense that leads the league in points allowed, giving up only 106.4 points per game. The Celtics will need to bring their A-game on both ends of the court if they want to come out with a win against the Cavaliers.

In conclusion, the Boston Celtics have had a solid season thus far, led by their star player Jayson Tatum. The team has a strong supporting cast and one of the best defenses in the league, which will be key in their matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite some recent setbacks, the Celtics will look to bounce back and continue their pursuit for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

BETTING TRENDS

Boston are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.

The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 10 games.

Boston are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games.

Boston are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games against Cleveland.

Boston are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games against Cleveland.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games on the road.

Boston are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland.

Cleveland are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games.

Cleveland are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games.

Cleveland are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home.

Cleveland are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against Boston.

Prediction

The upcoming matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers is an important one for both teams, as they fight to secure their playoff berths. However, the Cavaliers may have the advantage going into the game, as they are well-rested and playing at home, while the Celtics are on the second leg of a back-to-back after a tough double-overtime loss to the Knicks on Sunday.

The Cavaliers have been playing solid basketball in their last 10 games, with a record of 6-4 and impressive offensive and defensive stats. They have relied heavily on their top-ranked defense, holding their opponents to just 106.4 points per game. Their offense has struggled at times, but with a balanced attack from their dynamic backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, and the valuable interior presence provided by rookie Evan Mobley, they have been able to win games. The Cavaliers will also have home-court advantage, which could give them an edge against a fatigued Celtics team.

On the other hand, the Celtics are coming off a tough loss against the Knicks and will be playing their second game in as many nights. They will also be without center Robert Williams, who suffered an injury and is expected to miss 7-10 days. Despite these setbacks, the Celtics have one of the best defenses in the league, holding their opponents to just 112.4 points per game. They also have a high-scoring offense, averaging 117.5 points per game, led by their star player Jayson Tatum. However, they will need to bring their A-game on both ends of the court to keep up with the Cavaliers.

Looking at the betting trends, the Celtics have struggled ATS in their last six games, while the Cavaliers have performed well ATS in their last 13 games. Additionally, Cleveland has won six of their last seven home games, while Boston has struggled ATS in their last five games on the road against Cleveland. These trends suggest that the Cavaliers may have the upper hand in this matchup.

PICK: Cavaliers -2 (-110)

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