Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics 5/13/18, Prediction & Odds

Cavaliers vs. Celtics Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics each made quick work of their opponent last round and will now face each other in the Eastern Conference Finals starting today. Which team will get the early upper hand this afternoon in Game 1?

Game Snapshot

733 Cleveland Cavaliers at 734 Boston Celtics

Sunday, May 13, 2018

TD Garden at 3:30PM ET

TV: ABC

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our newBasketball Odds & Betting Page.

 

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the Cavaliers are a 1.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 204.5 points. As of Sunday morning, 73 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Cleveland. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for the latest information.

Toronto becomes "LeBronto" 

Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has dominated the postseason, which is nothing new for him. But what he did against the top seed Raptors was impressive even for him as he guided the way to a four-game sweep. James scored at least 26 points in every game, with 43 points in Game 2 and 38 in Game 3. He also had at least 11 assists in three of the four contests, while pulling down over eight rebounds per. LeBron had 29 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the 128-93 clinching win at home as he shot 12-of-19 from the floor. In three games versus Boston this season, he averaged 24 points plus 10.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists.

Rozier turning heads in playoffs

Boston needed point guard Terry Rozier to turn his game up a notch when star Kyrie Irving was lost for the season with a knee injury. Rozier has been nothing short of outstanding in the playoffs as he has helped carry the Celtics to the conference finals. He is second on the team in postseason scoring (18.2) while dishing out 5.8 assists and grabbing 5.5 rebounds. He is shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 39.6 percent from 3-point range. Rozier had 17 points and six rebounds as host Boston defeated Philadelphia 114-112 in Game 5 to advance. Rookie Jayson Tatum has led the Celtics in scoring during the playoffs at 18.8 per.

NBA Betting Trends

Cleveland

The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Boston. The under is 5-0 in the last five Cleveland games played on three or more days of rest.

Boston

The under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Boston. The Celtics are 5-0 ATS after allowing 100 points or more in the previous game.

 Prediction: 

LeBron is tough to fade right now, but Boston has been super tough at home and still has a deep array of help even with its two biggest stars out. The atmosphere in Boston will be rocking and I believe the wrong team is favored here. Expect the Celtics to play defense that the Cavs have yet to see in the playoffs and get the cover as small home underdogs.

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS +1.5

Need More winners against the spread? Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. Instant Access here.