An Eastern Conference contest has the Boston Celtics (48-12) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-21) clashing on Tuesday. These are two of the top three teams in the conference, but the Celtics have a comfortable eight-game lead as the No. 1 seed. On Sunday, they cooked the Golden State Warriors 140-88, while Cleveland fell to the New York Knicks 107-98. Jaylen Brown (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (quad) are questionable for Boston. Donovan Mitchell (knee) and Max Strus (knee) are both out for the Cavs, with Caris LeVert (elbow) questionable.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Boston is an 8-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Cavaliers odds, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 215. Before making any Cavaliers vs. Celtics picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine's proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 20 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 64-40 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cavs vs. Celtics. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Cavs:
- Celtics vs. Cavaliers spread: Boston -8
- Celtics vs. Cavaliers Over-Under: 215 points
- Celtics vs. Cavaliers money line: Boston -355, Cleveland +281
- CLE: Has hit the 2Q Game Total Under in 27 of its last 35 games
- BOS: Has hit the 1H money line in 25 of its last 29 away games
- Celtics vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Center Jarrett Allen has been an anchor down low for the Cavs. Allen defends the rim at a high level and owns a soft touch when around the basket. The 25-year-old is ninth in the NBA in rebounds (10.5) and fifth in field-goal percentage (63.3%) with 15.8 points per game. Allen finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in his last game.
The Cavs have a few injuries on the roster right now, and guard Darius Garland may have to take on a larger role tonight. Garland can get a bucket from all three levels and has good eyes to read the defense as a passer. The 24-year-old logs 18.4 points and 6.1 assists per contest. In his last game, Garland had 19 points and five assists. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Celtics can cover
Forward Jayson Tatum is a consistent three-level bucket-getter, has a knack for keeping defenders off balance, and scores in a variety of different ways. The five-time All-Star is ninth in the NBA in scoring (27.1) with 8.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. In Sunday's blowout win, Tatum had 27 points and five assists.
Forward Brown (questionable) generates offense at ease too. Brown utilizes his athleticism to rise for dunks and get around defenders with no problem. He's averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He's scored 25-plus in four straight games, including in his previous outing when Brown recorded 29 points, three boards, and three assists. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Celtics vs. Cavaliers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 224 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Cavaliers vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Cavs spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 64-40 roll on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
