The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET. This game features the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, with Cleveland holding the best record in the NBA at 48-10 and Boston right behind them at 42-17. Both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning, and this could be a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland is currently on an eight-game winning streak, while Boston’s six-game win streak came to an end with a surprising 117-97 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The Celtics have won two of the three meetings between these teams this season, including a 112-105 win in Cleveland earlier this month.
Cleveland Cavaliers Preview – Can the Winning Streak Continue?
The Cavaliers are playing their best basketball of the season, riding an eight-game winning streak into this matchup. Cleveland boasts the best record in the league and has already clinched a playoff berth. The team is led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 11 points and added 5 assists in their last game, and Evan Mobley, who contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds.
De’Andre Hunter, a recent acquisition from the Atlanta Hawks, has made an immediate impact, averaging 14 points per game while shooting 50% from the field. Coach Kenny Atkinson praised Hunter for not just fitting in but imposing his will on both ends of the court.
Darius Garland, averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 assists per game, is listed as out with a hip injury, which could affect Cleveland’s guard play. However, the Cavaliers have depth and strong defensive metrics, allowing only 108.1 points per game, which ranks third in the league.
Boston Celtics Preview – Can Boston Bounce Back at Home?
The Celtics had a disappointing outing against the Pistons, scoring just 97 points and hitting only 12 two-point field goals, a franchise low. Jaylen Brown (22.9 ppg) missed that game with a left thigh contusion and is considered day-to-day. His presence will be crucial against a strong Cleveland defense.
Jayson Tatum continues to lead the Celtics, averaging 27 points per game, and he scored 27 in the loss to Detroit. Boston’s strength lies in its balanced play on both ends of the floor, ranking second in both field goal percentage (49.9%) and defensive field goal percentage (45.2%).
Boston has been strong at home with an 18-10 record. The Celtics have hit the 1H Moneyline in 71 of their last 98 games, showcasing their ability to start strong. They will need a full 48-minute effort to overcome the league’s top team.
Betting Prediction
The Celtics are slight favorites at home, but the Cavaliers’ momentum makes this a tough call. Expect a tightly contested game, with both teams bringing playoff intensity. The under on total points is worth considering, given both teams’ strong defensive play.
Predicted score: Cleveland 110, Boston 106. The Cavaliers’ depth and current form give them the edge, even on the road.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers Moneyline, Under on total points
This should be a great game between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
