Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 5/19/2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics lead the series 2-0 after winning the 1st 2 games in Boston. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 6.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup after finishing the regular season with a mark of 55-27. They were 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 3.6 as they averaged 104.0 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The Cavaliers had an overall mark of 50-32. They finished 1st in the Central Division. They totaled 110.9 points per contest and gave up 109.9, which is a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 58-33-4 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 50-44-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 36-56-2 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 46-47-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
05/09/18 G Shane Larkin Shoulder is out indefinitely
04/05/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is out for season
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Al Horford averages 12.9 points per game in 31.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 7.4 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%. Marcus Smart comes into this contest averaging 10.2 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 37% while his free throw percentage is currently at 73%.

Player Spotlight

Kevin Love averages 17.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.3 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 88%. LeBron James averages 27.5 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest this year for the Cavaliers. He grabs 8.6 rebounds per game and has 9.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 100.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they give up 21.3 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league. Boston averages 104 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.59 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cavaliers surrender 109.9 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.9 assists allowed per contest, and 17th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season. Cleveland is 5th in the league with 110.9 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.94. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 42.1 boards per game and 11th in assists per contest with 23.4. The Cavaliers are 21st in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Boston is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league. The Cavaliers are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.9, and their defensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Boston +6.5

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