Cavaliers vs Celtics: Top Picks and Predictions | Dec 12

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-10 SU, 9-13 ATS) vs. Boston Celtics (16-5 SU, 9-11 ATS)

When: Tuesday, December 12th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: TD Garden, MA, Boston

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Cle +10/Bos -10

Total: 223.5

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers +397/-536

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

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

Celtics

Recent Form

Coming into today’s game vs. the Celtics, the Cavaliers are looking to build on their above .500 record of 13-10. Currently, the team is 7th in the Eastern Conference as well as 3rd in the Central Division.

In today’s game against the Cavaliers, the Celtics aim to continue their success with a record above .500, currently at 16-5. Across their 21 games, the Celtics have recorded a 15-4 record when facing teams from the Eastern Conference and a 1-1 record in non-conference games.

The Historicals

Through the last five matchups between the teams, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 0 points per game separates the teams. Over the course of these games, they averaged 230 points per game, leading a 4-1 over-under record.

Analysis

The Cavaliers offense is coming off a game in which they scored 94 points vs. the Magic. Overall, their field goal percentage was 35.3% while connecting on nine threes. Darius Garland led the team in scoring, putting up 36 points. Additionally, Donovan Mitchell contributed 22 points for the Cavaliers.

So far this season, the Cavaliers defense has been performing well, ranking 7th in the NBA at 110.3 points allowed per contest.

Inside the arc, the Cavaliers’ defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 51.4% and 35.3% from three-point territory.

In their latest game, Boston’s offense looked good, scoring 133 points against the Knicks. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 52.7% and made 18/21 free throws. Up to this point, the Celtics’ offense has been efficient inside the arc, posting a two-point field goal percentage of 58%. In terms of pace, they are 20th in the NBA possessions per game (98.3).

Boston’s defense has been playing well, ranking 3rd in the NBA with 108.8 points allowed per game.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Celtics squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 49.7% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 36.4% from downtown.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Cleveland has an ATS record of just 5-4-1. However, their overall record was 6-4 while averaging 111 points per game.
• 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 averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
• Cleveland has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 7-3 and an ATS mark of 3-7.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

At first glance, there is a lot of work against the Cavs tonight. They have a significant rest disadvantage, having played last night and the Celtics being off since last Friday. Also, Cleveland is coming off a 10-point loss to the Magic. Yet, I still see them hanging around today and covering the spread at +10 vs. Boston.