NBA

Cleveland Cavs vs. Boston Celtics 5/13/18 Predictions & Odds

Cavs vs. Warriors

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference NBA Finals is Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Will the Boston Celtics pull off the small upset versus the Cleveland Cavs?

Game Snapshot

733 Cleveland Cavs at 734 Boston Celtics

Sunday, May 13, 2018

TV: ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the Celtics are 2-point home underdogs versus the Cavs in Game 1. Boston opened as a 1.5-point favorite but the number jumped the fence. As of this writing, 56% of betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cavs to cover the point spread.

Cavs’ Hood apologizes for not entering fourth quarter of Game 4

Rodney Hood apologized for saying “just let Jose [Calderon] play” in the fourth quarter of Game 4.

“I should have took it more serious and went in there and got some reps up and get in a little rhythm,” Hood said. The Cavs seem to be OK, though. Hood said his teammates told him “that’s not really a distraction” because of everything that they’ve been through this year. Still, don’t expect Hood to play in Game 1.

Celtics coach Stevens non-committal on starting five for Game 1

Coach Brad Stevens was non-committal on the Celtics starting five for Game 1 on Sunday.

“We’re going to play all the lineups,” Stevens said. The lineup with Aron Baynes worked out against the 76ers because of Baynes hitting corner treys, but it’s certainly possible they roll with Marcus Morris instead. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them go with Semi Ojeleye after his strong round against the Bucks.

Betting Trends

Cleveland

The Cavs are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games versus the Celtics in Boston. The road team is also 15-5-1 against the number in the last 21 meetings between these two teams.

Boston

The under has cashed in eight of the last 11 meetings between these two teams in Boston.

Our Prediction

The Cavs have covered the spread in six of their last eight road games. They’re also 5-2 against the number in their last seven Conference Finals games. Finally, they’re 6-1 against the number in their last seven games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600. Despite having a poor supporting cast around him for this year’s postseason run, LeBron has put together an epic playoff performance. This Cavs team is red-hot.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven Conference Finals games. This Boston team has put together a gritty performance in the playoffs despite two of their top players sidelined for the postseason. Still, I think experience will come into play in this series and I like LeBron and Co. to emerge.

Our Prediction: Cleveland Cavs -1.5

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