Boston Celtics vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions February 28th 2025

Celtics Launch Long Homestand Against NBA-Best Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to extend their eight-game winning streak Friday night when they visit the Boston Celtics in a matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cleveland leads Boston by 6.5 games but has lost two of the three meetings against the Celtics this season. Boston prevailed at home 120-117 on Nov. 19 and won at Cleveland 112-105 on Feb. 4. Cleveland, which has the best record in the NBA, earned a 115-111 home win against the Celtics on Dec. 1.

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“We’re playing well,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Now the real test is Boston. We’ll see if we can keep our standards high, go in there and get a win.”

Atkinson emphasized that Cleveland won’t hold anything back in this showdown, despite the potential for a playoff meeting between the teams.

“We still have to prove we can beat them—beat them at their place,” he said. “I think we go in there kind of guns blazing. We gotta go for the win, whatever it takes.”

Boston Looks to Bounce Back at Home

Boston’s six-game winning streak came to an end with Wednesday’s 117-97 road loss to the Detroit Pistons. It marked just the fifth time this season that the Celtics failed to score at least 100 points. Boston made just 12 two-point field goals in the loss, the fewest in franchise history.

The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown (left thigh contusion) and Luke Kornet (personal reasons). Brown, the team’s second-leading scorer at 22.9 points per game, could be a key factor if he returns.

Jayson Tatum acknowledged that as defending champions, the Celtics have a target on their backs.

“In recent years we’ve gotten everybody’s really good shot,” Tatum said. “Now, on a nightly basis, we get everybody’s best shot. We’re like the standard … and that’s with any NBA champion the next year.”

Cavaliers Thriving with New Addition

De’Andre Hunter has made an instant impact since joining Cleveland from the Hawks, averaging 14 points per game on 50 percent shooting over six games.

“He’s not just trying to fit in,” Atkinson said. “He’s really come into our team with force and kind of imposed his will at both ends.”

Meanwhile, Darius Garland has missed Cleveland’s past two games with a left hip contusion. Garland is averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 assists in 30.1 minutes per game.

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Celtics Begin Seven-Game Homestand

Friday’s game will mark the start of a lengthy seven-game homestand for Boston. The Celtics are 18-10 at home this season but have been even better on the road with a 24-7 record.

“We’re going to be home for a while,” Tatum said. “Get back to defending our home court, get some wins, and just play well in front of our home crowd. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Will Boston Defend Home Court or Will Cleveland Keep Rolling?

With both teams vying for playoff positioning, this battle of Eastern Conference heavyweights could be a preview of what’s to come in the postseason.

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