The Boston Celtics (42-17) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (48-10) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Celtics are 1-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Celtics -1), with the over/under set at 233.5 total points. Boston is a -120 favorite to win outright, while Cleveland is +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Cavaliers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 28.
Cavaliers vs Celtics Prediction
Spread
This is a spot where we can confidently back Cleveland on the road. The Celtics will play their third game in four days, while the Cavaliers will have some decent rest, having last played on Tuesday.
Moneyline
Friday's matchup between the Cavaliers and Celtics could serve as a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. While Boston leads the season series 2-1, it would be almost fitting for Cleveland to level things up at two games apiece.
Over/Under
The total is a complete pass for me. However, the market's move to the over bodes well for the Cavaliers, considering their 122.2 Offensive Rating is the highest in the league.
My Pick: Cavaliers Moneyline (+100)
Cavaliers vs Celtics Odds, Lines, Picks
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 233.5 -110 / -110 | +100 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 233.5 -110 / -110 | -120 |
- Cavaliers vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -1
- Cavaliers vs. Celtics over/under: 233.5 total points
- Cavaliers vs. Celtics moneyline: Cavaliers +100, Celtics -120
- Cavaliers vs. Celtics best bet:Cavaliers ML (+100)
My Celtics vs. Cavaliers best bet is on Cleveland moneyline, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics NBA Friday Preview
The Cavaliers have been kicking butt and taking names as they enter this contest tied with the Pistons for the longest active winning streak in the NBA at eight games. Interestingly, the Pistons won their eighth straight game by trouncing the Celtics at home, 117-97.
To add even more drama, the last opponent to hand the Cavaliers a defeat was — you guessed it — the Boston Celtics.
Cleveland has won 12 of its last 13 games, beginning with a 110-91 victory over the Pistons.
While the jury is still out regarding the best team in the league, the Cavaliers (48-10) have the best record, one game ahead of the Thunder (47-11). However, OKC (+12.6) has the highest net rating, with Cleveland second at +11.3.
Nonetheless, there's no disputing that the Cavaliers are an elite team. They began the season on a 15-game winning streak before the Celtics handed them their first defeat.
That matchup seemed to have a lot riding on it because it was an NBA Cup game, with the defending champions on their home court. Boston essentially won the game (120-117) from the perimeter, sinking 22 of 41 3-pointers compared to just 10 of 29 for the Cavaliers.
In the second game, the Cavaliers matched the Celtics with 17 3-pointers and dominated the paint 40-24 to win 115-111.
When they met again for a third time, Boston outshot Cleveland 51-33 from the perimeter en route to a 112-105 victory.
The Celtics love to overwhelm their opponents from beyond the arc, considering they lead the league in attempts with 48.4 per game. However, Cleveland is the best shooting perimeter team at 39.4%.
Therefore, if the Cavaliers can maintain a high level of aggression from behind the 3-point line, they have a great chance to deliver a knockout blow and escape TD Garden with an important away victory.
After factoring home-court advantage, my power ratings make the Celtics a one-point favorite. However, their rest disadvantage makes this game closer to a toss-up. Thus, Cleveland has a decent chance of winning it outright.
Moreover, given the underlying numbers between the two teams, a series split would seem fairer than the Celtics finishing with a 3-1 edge.
For my same-game parlay, I'll look to pair the Cavaliers moneyline with Boston's Derrick White going over his points + assists prop of 20.5 (-125). The Celtics point guard exceeded this projection in four of his last five games at home and three straight meetings against the Cavaliers.
White is one of Boston's best 3-point shooters at 39%, and if this matchup becomes another high-volume game from the perimeter, you can expect the eight-year veteran to be at the center of the action.
The combination of White's prop and a Cavaliers moneyline would help boost our parlay odds to +299.
Cavaliers vs Celtics Best Bet
- Cavaliers Moneyline (+100)
Cavaliers vs Celtics Parlay
- Cavaliers ML
- Derrick White Over 20.5 Points + Assists
Parlay Payout: +299
Celtics vs. Cavaliers Betting Trends
