Boston Celtics (64-18) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 5/11/24 – As the NBA East Semifinals heat up, the Boston Celtics, leading the series 1-0, face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers this Saturday, May 11, 2024. Holding a dominant record, the Celtics have shown robust performance throughout the season, reflecting their potential to progress deep into the playoffs. The game is set to occur at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, a crucial battleground where Cleveland will look to even the series in front of their home crowd. For those keen on betting insights, keeping an eye on the handicapper best expert picks could be crucial in anticipating the game’s flow and outcomes.
The Celtics have been outstanding this season with a scoring average of 120.6 points per game, the proof of their outstanding offense. They are the successful 48.7% shooting percentage mark and have proven to be especially formidable from beyond the arc, netting 16.5 three-pointers on average per game at a 38.8% rate. The rebounds of their average defense are also good with 46.3 rebounds and 6.6 blocks. It suggests their capacity to dominate the paint and upturn opposition offenses. Nevertheless, road ATS results of 19-19 indicate some variability in covering any spread at away games.
Like the Celtics, who have 112.6 points per game, but their shooting efficiency rises to 47.9% of field goal. The 36.7% conversion from 3-point shooting for theirs could be the lagging factor in this series, like Boston who is a high-caliber opponent. While their rebounding numbers are a little in deficit compared to Boston with 43.3 boards per match, Cleveland might have trouble supporting their second-chance opportunities and slowing down their opponents’ tempo.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 5/11/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jayson Tatum (SF) vs. Donovan Mitchell (SG)
Jayson Tatum has demonstrated a gleaming performance and been consistent to the team, scoring 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. His two-way game and sportsmanship make him the key person in the Celtic game. His turnovers at 2.5 per game have been a concern, but his overall efficiency and clutch scoring have made a great difference to the team.
Furthermore, Donovan Mitchell‘s numbers are pretty similar to Tatum’s in terms of the offensive yield – 26.6 points per game and 6.1 assists. Being able to steal (1.8spg) and being agile is a hard nut to crack for any defense. He may have a low field goal percentage, yet he is still able to make many assists and score points, which will be crucial for the Cleveland team especially in tight situations.
When these stars collide, the game may actually be in the balance depending on their performances. Tatum’s length and rebounding might be a problem for Mitchell, where Mitchell can turn out to be the fastest player that Boston can defend. Battle between the opponent’s players, directly or indirectly, will be a highlight, probably setting the pace and command of the game.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds TBD
While specific betting odds are yet to be announced, the Celtics might come into this game as favorites given their regular season record and current lead in the series. Bettors should consider the recent trend of the totals going over in both teams’ games, which could suggest a high-scoring affair.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics have proven to be unstable recently, as they are 3-2 straight up and against the spread in their last five games. Nevertheless, their repeated achievements at home with only a certain sense of strangeness for the game being played away strengthens their position if not them instead.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends
Cleveland‘s recent tendency of not only losing but also against the spread can be observed by their 2-3 record in the last 5 games. The home court advantage could compensate for their not-so-strong offensive play, but their against-the-spread records in the road games reveal their problems of consistency.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 5/11/24 Betting Picks
Given the Celtics’ strong offensive capabilities and the trends favoring high-scoring games, my prediction leans towards a Celtics win but with a closely contested score. For those looking at prop bets, considering total points might be a wise choice given both teams’ recent performances.
Top NBA Eastern free predictions suggest a slight edge to the Celtics due to their superior season performance and the momentum they carry into the game. However, with the Cavaliers playing at home and desperate to equalize, expect a tightly contested battle.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Celtics 112, Cleveland Cavaliers 108.