Thunder vs. Bucks: Moneyline Pick and Game Prediction

Boston Celtics (35-15 SU, 19-30 ATS) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9 SU, 33-16 ATS)

When: Tuesday, February 4th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, OH, Cleveland

TV: TNT

Point Spread: Bos +2/Cle -2

Total: 237

Money Line: Boston Celtics +107/-127

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• No Injuries Reported

Cavaliers

• Dean Wade (Out) Knee
• Isaac Okoro (Out) Shoulder

The Boston Celtics (+107) travel to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (-127) in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers (-2) are currently favored by 2 points over the Celtics.

Cleveland (40-9) is currently on a 4-game win streak and sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, Boston (35-15) is on a 3-game win streak and is 2nd in the East.

Recent Form

The Celtics improved to 35-15 this season with a 118-110 win over the 76ers on Sunday. Boston was favored by 12 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 228, just over the 224-point line.

Boston was down 94-80 going into the 4th quarter but held the 76ers to just 16 points while scoring 38 of their own. A key moment was a 10-0 run that extended their lead from 94-75 to 104-75.

The Cavaliers improved to 40-9 on the season with a dominant 144-101 win over the Mavericks on Sunday. Playing at home, Cleveland covered the -15.5 spread, and the game’s total of 245 points went over the O/U line of 236.

Cleveland took control early, jumping out to a 50-19 lead after the 1st quarter. A 14-0 run extended their lead from 37-19 to 51-19. They continued to pour it on in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Dallas 41-27. The Mavericks edged out the Cavaliers in the 3rd and 4th quarters, but Cleveland’s 119-75 lead heading into the final period was more than enough to secure the win.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed vs the spread in recent matchups, the Cavaliers have an ATS mark of 4-1. Yet, the Celtics have averaged more points per game in these contests, at 111, compared to Cleveland at 111. Boston and Cleveland averaged a combined 216 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

Jayson Tatum’s 35-point, 11-assist performance powered the Celtics to a win over the 76ers, as he shot 65% from the field and hit five threes at a 62.5% clip. Jaylen Brown added 21 points, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 18 despite shooting just 35.7%.

Boston connected on 21 threes, shooting 42.9% from deep and 50% overall. Tatum scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Derrick White and Sam Hauser each added 6 of their points in the final period.

Defensively, the Celtics gave up 110 points to the 76ers but clamped down in the 4th quarter, allowing just 16 points to secure the win. Boston allowed 29 points in the 1st, 32 in the 2nd, and 33 in the 3rd. Overall, the 76ers shot 45% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Celtics allowed 15 threes on 46% shooting. Philadelphia also went 21/28 from the free-throw line. Boston finished with 33 defensive rebounds, gave up eight offensive boards, and recorded three steals and eight blocks.

The Cavaliers put up 144 points in their win over the Mavericks, shooting 57% from the field and hitting 26 threes at a 57.8% clip. Sam Merrill led the way with 27 points, knocking down nine threes at 69.2% efficiency.

Evan Mobley contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Darius Garland added 17 points and 10 assists, shooting 75% from deep. Garland scored 13 of his points in the 1st quarter, and Merrill added 12 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters.

The Cavaliers put on a strong defensive performance against the Mavericks, holding them to just 101 points on Sunday. Cleveland set the tone early, allowing only 19 points in the 1st quarter, and kept the pressure on throughout the game, giving up 27 points in the 2nd, 29 in the 3rd, and 26 in the 4th.

Defensively, the Cavaliers limited Dallas to 38% shooting, including just 9 made three-pointers at a 20% clip. They sent the Mavericks to the line 15 times, where they made 12 free throws. Cleveland also recorded 48 defensive rebounds, allowed 10 offensive boards, and added seven steals and eight blocks.

Betting Trends

• Across their ten previous road games, Boston has an ATS mark of 4-6. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 111 points per game.
• Across their three previous home games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 121 points per game.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Boston has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 6-4 straight up.
• The Cavaliers have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The top two teams in the East come into this one on some winning streaks, as the Cavs have won 4-straight, and the Celtics are on a three-game winning streak of their own. Right now, the Cavaliers are favored by -2, but I expect the Celtics to come out looking to make a statement that they are still the top dogs in the East. I expect this to be a fun one to watch, and I am going with the Celtics on the money line.