The Boston Celtics are just 2-4 straight up and 3-3 against the spread over their last six postseason games. To avoid heading back to Cleveland with an 0-2 series deficit, the Celtics will need a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Friday night.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers 2017 odds: Boston seeks crucial win as Game 2 home underdog
The Boston Celtics face a desperate situation at home on Friday night after losing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Boston is a 5.5-point home underdog for Game 2 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The Celtics have gone 3-11 SU and 5-8-1 ATS in their last 14 games as a home underdog.
Boston Celtics
After going a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS in their previous five playoff home games, the Celtics had absolutely no answer for the Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Cleveland jumped out to a commanding 61-39 lead at halftime before eventually coasting to a 117-104 road victory.
Isaiah Thomas put up his lowest scoring total at home of the postseason, scoring only 17 points after averaging 33.3 points per game in four home games against the Wizards.
With the loss, the Celtics moved to 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six games as a playoff underdog per the OddsShark NBA Database. Boston is just 1-13 in its last 14 games as a postseason underdog.
Betting Line / Total: Cleveland -5.5 / 219.5 Points
Cleveland Cavaliers
The question of whether the Cavaliers would come into Game 1 rested or rusty was answered with authority.
Kevin Love had a great night from the floor scoring 32 points and going six for nine from three-point land, but it was LeBron James who led the team in scoring with 38 points, proving to be a total mismatch for anyone with whom Boston tried to defend him. With the win, Cleveland improved to 9-0 SU and 5-2-2 ATS in postseason play.
Friday night’s total is set at 219.5 points. The OVER is 7-2 in Cleveland’s last nine games and 6-2 in Boston’s last eight games.
A big deal was made of Boston having home court in this series, but that home court was erased in a matter of 48 minutes. The Celtics will now need to win a game in Cleveland to win this series. But before they even worry about that, they’ll have to find a way to pull off the home upset in Game 2.
Cleveland has won 10 of the last 12 games in this head-to-head series.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
When: Friday, May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
