The Cleveland Cavaliers are a loss away from getting eliminated and ending LeBron James’ amazing streak of seven straight NBA Finals appearances. But will the Cavs allow that to happen on Friday? Or will they beat the Boston Celtics and force a Game 7 in Beantown?
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Betting Preview for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 on May 25, 2018
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
When: Friday, May 25, 8:30 PM EST
Line: Boston Celtics (point spread) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (point spread) – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Boston Celtics (+7)
The Celtics remained unblemished at home in the playoffs after defeating Cleveland on Wednesday, but they have been a completely different animal when they’re on the road. The Celtics are just 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in seven road games thus far in this postseason. Still, the Celtics are headed to Game 6 of the series with the momentum. Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston in Game 5 with 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. He also had four of the Celtics’ 10 total steals in the game, greatly helping Boston slow down Cleveland, which shot just 41.9 percent from the field. The Celtics didn’t do well either on offense, as they shot just 36.5 percent from the floor, but they had 11 more shots than the Cavs, many of which came via easy baskets on transition – the Celtics outscored Cleveland in fast break points, 18-2. Defense is going to be the key for Boston. Playing the passing lane and turning turnovers into easy points led them to success in Game 5. It should again in Game 6 provided they duplicate what they did on the court on Wednesday.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (-7)
Where were the other Cavs? On Wednesday, it seemed as though it was only LeBron James playing for Cleveland. He finished with 26 points on 11-for-22 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds and five assists, but outside of Kevin Love, no other non-LeBron Cavalier scored more than eight points in the game. Jordan Clarkson went 3-for-10, George Hill was 1-for-5, while JR Smith embarrassed himself by going 1-for-6. Tristan Thompson can’t even cheat his way out of a pathetic one-point outing (0-for-3 FG). LeBron needs help and with the four-time MVP seemingly running on fumes, Game 6 is going to be the right time for the Cavs’ supporting cast to show up. Perhaps boosting the Cavs’ chances of winning Game 6 is their record of 7-0 SU in their last seven home games. They are also 3-0 ATS in their last three at Quicken Loans Arena. In addition to those trends, Cleveland is scoring 7.8 points more at home (105.4) on a field goal shooting percentage better by 3.3 (47.7) than when the team is on the road in these playoffs. LeBron James is putting up 33.2 points on 54.7 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in the playoffs.
Writer’s Prediction:
Boston wins, 104-100.
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