The NBA Playoffs on Thursday night and the Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Boston Celtics as the scene shifts to the TD Garden in Boston for their game 3 meeting in this best-of-seven series, in which Cleveland leads 2-0. Free Pick to follow. The game has a start time of 7:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on TNT. Current Vegas betting odds have Cleveland listed as 4 point favorites, while the total is set at 203.5.
Analysis: Down the stretch this year the Cavs lost two games to the Celtics, but those game meant much more to the Celtics than the Cavs. Well Cleveland did shake off hose two losses to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Cavs are now 55-29 on the year and have gone 22-19 on the road. Cleveland has gone 13-6 ATS in their last 19 Conference Quarterfinals games, but they are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played in Boston. The Cavaliers have scored 102.3 ppg on 44.9% shooting overall and 34.6% from long range on the road this year. Defensively they have struggled away from home as they have allowed 101.3 pg on 47.3% shooting overall and 33.5% shooting from long range.
The Boston Celtics came into he playoffs having won 6 games in a row, but they couldn't sustain that momentum as they have lost each of the first 2 games to begin this series. Now that scene shifts back to their home, where they have really been mediocre this year, going just 21-20. Boston has gone 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record and 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 home games. The Celtics have scored 101.4 ppg on 44.2% shooting overall and 33.3% from long range at home for the year. Defensively they have been decent at home allowing 99.9 pg on 45.3% shooting overall and 34.0% shooting from long range.
Pick: I am going with Cleveland Here. I feel that after a couple of lackluster games by the Cavs will have them fully focused for this one and we note that the Celtics were not a great home team this year. The Cavs are clearly the best team in the East and they are clearly more than 5 points better than Boston. Cleveland will come out fired up here as they know that a win here will pretty much close the door on the series. Cavs by at least 8 in this game.
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