Were it not for their best player Cleveland would have been out of the playoffs by now and those betting on NBA games know it. LeBron James has carried the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals. But the one-man team approach has going bust against Boston. The Celtics lead the series 2-0 despite missing their best player. Kyrie Irving is out for the playoffs. The irony is not lost on fans and gamblers. And Boston deserves credit for showing that there is still such a thing as team basketball. But now the series shifts to Cleveland. And there home court advantage for betting on NBA games will be put to the test.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3
Date and Time: Saturday, May 19, 2018, 8:40 p.m. Eastern
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics | +6½ (-110) | 205 (-110) |  |
| Cavaliers | -6½ (-110) | 205 (-110) | |
| |||
Celtics vs. Cavaliers TV Coverage: ESPN
The Series so Far
Boston scored a 107-94 win over Cleveland in game two. They easily covered the betting on NBA Games line in a pick’em matchup. LeBron James had 42 points for the Cavaliers. Yet it was not nearly enough. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points. Al Horford added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Games three and four of this series will be in Cleveland. If necessary game five returns to Boston.
Cleveland
Cleveland has been a perpetual sportsbook overlay all year. In regular season the Cavaliers paid in just 32 out of 82 games. They got the money in only 13 of 41 home games. At Quicken Loans Arena the Cavs have covered just one out of six home playoff games. Four of those six games went under the total. Overall in 13 post season games the Cavs covered just four times. Five our their last eight have gone over the total.
With appearances in the last three NBA Finals Cleveland has too much public cache. Add in the game’s most recognizable star and you have the perfect storm for overlays.
Boston
The Celtics have been one of the best board values in the NBA Playoffs. They have covered the spread in 10 out of 14 games. Four of their last five post season tilts have gone under the total. On the road Boston has paid in just two out of five road tilts so far this spring. The last three of those games went under the total.
Team vs. Team
Boston has covered the number in 10 of their last 14 playoff tilts against the Cavaliers. Seven of those last 10 between the Celtics and Cavs have gone under the number. Quicken Loans Arena has seen Boston pay in five of their last six post season visits. Three of those last five between these teams in Cleveland went over the total.
Betting on NBA Games? These players make a difference!
Team basketball has been the key to Boston’s success. Four of their players are averaging 17 points per game or better. For Cleveland its been a total dependency on King James. LeBron is averaging 33 points per game.
Matchup to Watch
Home court has not been a betting on NBA games asset for Cleveland. In fact, it only serves to add to their betting value woes. Boston makes for a classic contrarian play here.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Boston should stay within the number for game three.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Boston Celtics
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Celtics 104, Cavaliers 105
Catch highlights of the Celtics game two win!