Cavaliers vs. Celtics Betting Analysis – Expert Pick 12/14/23

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-11 SU, 10-13 ATS) vs. Boston Celtics (17-5 SU, 9-12 ATS)

When: Thursday, December 14th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: TD Garden, MA, Boston

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Cle +8.5/Bos -8.5

Total: 226.5

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers +298/-381

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

• Ricky Rubio (Out) Personal
• Ty Jerome (Out) Ankle
• Evan Mobley (Out) Knee

Celtics

• Jaylen Brown (Questionable) Ankle

Recent Form

Coming into today’s game against the Celtics, the Cavaliers have an overall record of 13-11 and are looking to snap their two-game losing skid. Currently, the team is 9th in the Eastern Conference and is 3rd in the Central Division.

Coming into today’s matchup against the Cavaliers, the Celtics have a 17-5 record and are looking to stay above .500. When playing on the road this season, the Celtics are 6-5 compared to 11-0 at home.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Cavaliers hold the edge at 4-1. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 1 point per game. The over-under record in these same games is 5-0, with the teams combining for an average of 235 points per game.

Analysis

Coming off their recent game, the Cavaliers’ offense tallied 113 points in a matchup against the Celtics. Their field goal percentage for the game was 47.8%, and they made 19 threes. In terms of offense, the Cavaliers have a season-long field goal percentage of 47%, putting them 14th in the NBA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 24th in percentage and 25th in three-pointers made.

On average, the Cleveland defense is giving up 110.7 points per game (7th). Right now, they are on a two game streak of giving up fewer points than their season average.

On two-point field goal attempts, the Cavaliers’ defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 51.4% and allowing 35.6% from beyond the arc.

In their recent matchup, the Celtics offense ended with 120 points against the Cavaliers. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 45.2% and made 18 threes. In terms of offense, the Celtics have a season-long field goal percentage of 47%, putting them 13th in the NBA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 14th in percentage and 2nd in three-pointers made.

At present, the Celtics’ defense is ranked 4th, allowing 109.0 points per game.

For the season, Boston is ranked 29th in fewest fouls per game. Teams are averaging 19.1 free throws per game vs. the Celtics and have an overall field goal percentage of 44.5%.

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Cavaliers have a straight-up record of 5-5 while going 5-4-1 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 113 points per game in these contests.
• In their last ten games at home, the Celtics have a straight-up record of 5-5 while going 2-7-1 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 111 points per game in these contests.
• Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight-up mark in these contests is 1-2.
• In their last five contests as the favorite, Boston has a poor record vs the spread going 2-3. But they still put together a straight-up mark of 4-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Cavs and Celtics are playing for the 2nd time in a row, where Boston picked up a 7-point win over Cleveland and was a 2-point game heading into the 4th. Between Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have the playmaking on the perimeter to hang with the Celtics. I like Cleveland at +8.5.