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NBA Playoff Prediction: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers |
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Monday, 12 May 2008
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 The Boston Celtics are money in the bank at home, but on the road they’ll put you in debt. Tonight they’ll try to win their first playoff road game when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. The Celtics lead the best of seven series 2-1. Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Cavaliers as 2-point favorites over the Celtics with the over/under set at 181. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com
The Celtics just can’t win on the road going 0-4 SU in the playoffs, averaging 92 PPG. Their first road loss to the Cavs was a 84-108 blowout, considering the Celtics were 2-point roaddogs. Kevin Garnett could only muster up 17pts and nine rebounds while Ray Allen was 0 for 5 from the 3-point line and 4 for 12 from the field. As a team they shot 40% from the field, 31% from the 3-point line, but a decent 79% from the free throw line. They fell behind by 19pts after the first quarter, were down by an eye-popping 43-17 in the second and never mounted a serious threat after halftime. So what gives? They beat some of the best teams on the road during the regular season, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, so why can’t they win now? They aren’t playing with urgency, they’re allowing their opponents to start strong while they sit back and figure out their game strategy. At home the Celtics burst out the gate and set the pace, they must do this if they want to win tonight. The Celtics are 33-20 ATS on one day rest and 23-22 over/under on the road.
The Cavs LeBron James has been stuck in a scoring drought, but his scoring percentage is up from 19% to 22%. He’s improving slowly throughout the series. Last game he finished with 21pts, eight assists and nine rebounds. He was 5 of 16 from the field, 3 for 5 from the 3-point line and 8 for 12 from the line. Delonte West had a good night with 21pts and Joe Smith was great off the bench with 17pts. The Cavs must get help from other teammates, besides LeBron, if they want to win. It worked last year in the playoffs when LeBron single handedly took control, but it won’t work against the Celtics this year. It’s a team game. The Cavs are averaging 89 PPG in their last five and on the road they average 98 PPG. They are 22-24 ATS on one day rest and 18-26 over/under on home court.
SBGglobal.com also has the Celtics as 700-moneyline favorites over the Cavs +500 to win their Eastern Conference Semi-final Series.
Recent Trends to Consider
- Celtics are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Cleveland.
- Celtics are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
- Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite.
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
GAME: Boston Celtics (72-20) at Cleveland Cavaliers (50-41)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 12 - 8:00 PM EST
LINE: SBGglobal.com TOTAL: 181
PICK: Cleveland -2
The Bottom Line: LeBron is getting better the longer the series goes. If his teammates all chip in and help, then Cavs can win safely at home. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
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