First round NBA betting playoff action saw the Boston Celtics handle the Miami Heat 4-1. Most important of all, Boston got the money in four of the five games. Three of the five matchups went under the total. Now, Boston will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The Celtics remain the favorite to win the 2024 NBA Playoffs as the dominant team in the regular season. Boston continues to show great balance and plays a full court game. Namely, Jaylen Brown, Derric White, and Jayson Tatum showed well in the first round.
2024 NBA Playoffs Second Round Series Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 7 P.M. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | +11 -110 | 209 -110 | +425 |  |
| Celtics | -11 -110 | 209 -110 | -575 | |
| ||||
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Series Schedule
- Game 1: Cavs vs. Celtics; Tuesday, May 7 — 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 2: Cavs vs. Celtics; Thursday, May 9 — 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: Celtics at Cavs; Saturday, May 11 — 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 4: Celtics at Cavs; Monday, May 13 — 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 5:* Cavs vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15
- Game 6:* Celtics at Cavs; Friday, May 17
- Game 7:* Cavs vs. Celtics; Sunday, May 19
Boston Celtics Team Overview
The Boston Celtics are 64-18 straight up, 41-36-5 against the spread, and 42-38-2 over/under the total. Late on, Boston has covered two out of their last eight games. While the Celtics have gone over the sports betting total in four of its previous five matchups. Boston is 1st in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Boston is 14 games ahead of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Overall, Boston has NBA metrics of 2nd for scoring offense, 8th for field goal percentage, 2nd for 3-point field goal percentage, 7th for free throw percentage, and 2nd for offensive rebounding. Meanwhile, on defense, the Celtics have NBA metrics of 5th for scoring defense, 2nd for field goal percentage permitted, 4th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 14th for defensive rebounding.
SF Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. In contrast, SG Jaylen Brown averaged 23.0 points per game. Of great concern is that Kristaps Porzingis is likely to miss the second round. C Kristaps Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the regular season.
So far in the playoffs, Tatum is averaging 21.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 10.4 rebounds per game. Brown is averaging 22.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest.
Cleveland Cavaliers Team Overview
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 48-34 straight up, 38-44 against the spread, and 40-41-1 over/under the NBA betting total. Late on, Cleveland has covered three out of their last ten games. While the Cavaliers have gone over the total in three of its previous four matchups. Cleveland is 4th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Cleveland is 16 games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Overall, Cleveland has NBA metrics of 20th for scoring offense, 12th for field goal percentage, 15th for 3-point field goal percentage, 22nd for free throw percentage, and 17th for offensive rebounding. While on defense, the Cavaliers have NBA metrics of 7th for scoring defense, 6th for field goal percentage permitted, 21st for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 10th for defensive rebounding.
So far in the playoffs SG Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavs with 27.0 points per game. C Jarrett Allen adds 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds per contest.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers SBG Free Pick
In this situation, Boston is simply too much for a Cleveland team that should be worn out after a seven-game series against Orlando.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers SBG Best Bet: Boston Celtics.