Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Betting Odds


Opening Line: Cavaliers -2 / Celtics -2 O/U 193

Time: 8 PM EST Thursday February 25, 2010 on TNT

Tonight in a big Eastern Conference match up the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs finally won their first game with newly acquired Antawn Jamison (20 ppg) after losing 3 straight. Cleveland has not played well in Boston in the last few years, as they have lost 10 straight to the Celtics. It will be tougher for the Celtics to make it 11 straight over the Cavs at home since they will likely be without injured star Paul Pierce (17.9 ppg).

Cleveland still has a pretty comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference, but their once solid defense has struggled lately. Before the All Star break the Cavs led the NBA in field goal percentage defense (43.4%) and were 2nd in points allowed (94.2 ppg), but in 4 games since the break opponents have shot 50% from the floor and have averaged 106 ppg.

This season the Celtics are 16-9 at home and 21-33-1 ATS and the Cavs are 19-10 on the road and 28-29-1 ATS.

Both of these teams won on Tuesday, as the Celtics beat the New York Knicks 110-106 and the Cavs beat the New Orleans Hornets 105-95.

In the 10 game losing streak in Boston the Cavs have only averaged 84.2 ppg and LeBron James (29.8 ppg) has only averaged shooting 35.3% from the field. That trend may continue, as the Celtics lead the league in points allowed (93.8 ppg).

Pierce is not only banged up, but his backup Marquis Daniels (6.7 ppg) is also questionable with the flu. Even if Daniels can go the Celtics have to take up the scoring slack.

Ray Allen (16.6 ppg) has played great after being the subject of trade rumors, but in his last 5 games against the Cavs he is only averaging 11.8 ppg on 35.1% shooting.

The Cavs are still trying to figure out how to integrate Jamison into the offense and that will not be easy tonight against Boston and their stingy defense.

Kendrick Perkins (11.1 ppg 8 rpg) and Kevin Garnett (14.3 ppg 7.3 rpg) have to play good inside D on Jamison and Shaq (12.1 ppg 6.8 rpg) and not allow the Diesel and Anderson Varejao (7.8 rpg) dominate the boards.

This season Boston only has a rebounding differential of -0.9 rpg while the Cavs are solid on the glass at +3.9 rpg.

Cleveland is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games, 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games against teams with a winning home record, and has an Over record of 5-2-1 in their last 8 games.

Boston is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games, 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games against teams with a winning road record, and has an Under record of 6-2 in their last 8 games.

Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in Boston.

Our Selection : The Celtics were in a tough spot playing the Knicks after returning from a tough west coast trip. So, we're expecting a much better effort tonight. The Cavs did end a 3 game losing skid with a win over New Orleans on Tuesday, but did allow the Hornets to shoot 50% from the field. Defense has been the issue in recent games for Cleveland allowing opponents just under 50% in their last 5 games.

Take the Celtics +2.5 at Bodog


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