NBA Prediction: Can the Cavs cover vs. the Celtics in Game 3? 5/21/17
Will the Cleveland Cavaliers show any mercy to the Boston Celtics when the two meet in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight at 8:30PM ET? Here is our NBA Prediction for the contest.
GAME 3 ODDS
According to oddsmakers, Cleveland is the heavy favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -16.5 points against the Celtics. The over/under total for the game is listed at 215 points.
RECORDS
The Cavaliers took Game 2 of the series on Friday night, 130-86. It was a dominant effort from the tip to put Cleveland up 2-0 in the series. The Cavs have won five of six meetings with the Celtics this season.
Cleveland is now 61-31 on the season, 35-10 at home and 43-45-4 against the spread. Boston is 61-36 overall, 26-21 on the road and 49-46-2 against the spread.
GAME 2 RECAP
Game 2 couldn’t have gone any worse for Boston. The Celtics trailed by 41 points at halftime, which was a new NBA record. On top of that, Isaiah Thomas suffered a hip injury that will keep him out for the rest of the postseason. He had just two points in 18 minutes of Game 2.
LeBron James posted 30 points and seven assists to lead the Cavs while Kyrie Irving scored 23 points and Kevin Love added 21 points with 13 rebounds.
NBA PREDICTION
This is quite a spread to cover, but it is hard to see Boston having much chance on the road without Thomas in the lineup. The Celtics just don’t have the consistent scoring options. Cleveland is absolutely rolling right now. They are 10-0 in the playoffs and 7-0-1 against the spread in their last eight games.
Cleveland isn’t going to take its foot off the gas today. The Cavs will want the sweep and the rest. Look for them to hammer Boston again.
NBA Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers -16.5
