The Cleveland Cavaliers are 8-0 straight up and 4-2-2 against the spread through their first eight games of action in the 2017 playoffs. The Cavaliers will try to stay hot on the road against the Boston Celtics.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers 2017 odds: Cleveland opens Eastern Finals as road betting favorite
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to remain unbeaten this postseason with a road win on Wednesday night as they begin the Eastern Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland is a 4-point road favorite in Boston for Game 1 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This will be Cleveland’s ninth straight game going off as the betting favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers
From Feb. 25 to April 12, the Cavaliers went just 11-15 SU and 9-17 ATS, falling out of first place in the conference and looking nothing like a sure thing to win the East. Since the playoffs started, though, Cleveland hasn’t lost a game.
After a tough series against Indiana in the first round that probably should have gone more than four games, the Cavaliers completely blew away the Toronto Raptors, winning the four games in that series with an average margin of victory of 15.3 points per game.
The Cavaliers have totally dominated Boston of late with a 9-2 SU record against the Celtics per the OddsShark NBA Database. Boston holds a 6-4-1 ATS edge over that stretch, however.
Betting Line / Total: Cleveland -4 / 219.5 Points
Boston Celtics
The Celtics clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season to earn home court in this series, which could be the key to giving the team a puncher’s chance at an upset.
In the second round against Washington, Boston went 0-3 on the road and averaged a paltry 94 points per game in those three games. At home, the Celtics were a totally different team, going 4-0 SU and ATS with 122.5 points per game.
Tuesday’s total is set at 219.5 points at online sports betting sites. The UNDER is 10-4 in the last 14 games between Boston and Cleveland.
Most basketball fans and bettors predicted that these two teams would clash in the Eastern Conference Finals, but many might be surprised at the current form of each team. Cleveland has gotten stronger as the playoffs have worn on, while the Celtics have looked inconsistent and vulnerable.
Still, Boston plays its best basketball at home and will have a shot to get this series off on the right foot on Wednesday.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
When: Wednesday, May 17, 5:30 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
