Cleveland-cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

At 6:00 ET, the 17-3 Cleveland Cavaliers will host the 16-3 Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics are currently riding a 7-game win streak and are favored by 1.5 points. The over/under line for this game is set at 235.5.

This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and can be seen on NBCS.

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Where: Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds BOS -1.5, BOS -122 | CLE +102 O/U 235.5

The Celtics Can Win If…

Boston improved to 16-3 on the season with a 138-129 win over the Bulls on Friday. The Celtics were favored by 11.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 267, well over the 244.5 O/U line.

Boston jumped out to a 39-30 lead after the 1st quarter, but Chicago responded with a 10-0 run and won the 2nd quarter 37-28. After an even 3rd quarter, the teams were tied at 96 heading into the 4th, where the Celtics pulled away by outscoring the Bulls 42-33.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 35 points and 14 rebounds in their win over the Bulls, shooting 66.7% from the field and hitting 4 threes. Payton Pritchard added 29 points, connecting on 7 threes at a 63.6% rate, while Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points despite shooting 33.3% overall.

The Celtics made 23 threes, shooting 42.6% from beyond the arc and 50% overall. Pritchard scored 19 points in the 4th quarter, while Tatum had 13 in the 3rd. Derrick White scored 8 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters.

The Celtics gave up 129 points to the Bulls on Friday, allowing 30 points in the 1st quarter and 37 in the 2nd. They tightened up a bit in the 3rd, giving up 29 points, but allowed 33 in the 4th.

Boston allowed Chicago to shoot 51% from the field and hit 20 threes at a 39% clip. The Bulls went 13/16 from the free-throw line. The Celtics grabbed 40 defensive rebounds, giving up 5 offensive boards, and finished with 6 steals and 2 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Celtics have a straight up record of 9-1 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 123 points per game in this stretch.
• Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Celtics have an overall record of 3-0 while going 1-2 against the spread.
• Over their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers fell to 17-3 on the season after a 117-101 road loss to the Hawks on Friday. Cleveland, favored by 5.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 218 fell well short of the 243.5-point line.

After a tight first half, the Hawks took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Cavs 39-23. Cleveland made a push in the fourth, edging Atlanta 28-26, but couldn’t overcome the 18-point deficit they faced heading into the final period.

The Cavaliers struggled offensively in their 117-101 loss to the Hawks, shooting just 40.9% from the field and 28.9% from three-point range, making only 11 threes. Darius Garland led the way with 29 points, hitting 5 threes at a 62.5% clip, and added 5 assists.

Evan Mobley contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 58.8% from the floor. Donovan Mitchell had a tough night, shooting 21.7% overall and 20% from deep, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Defensively, the Cavaliers had a strong 2nd quarter but struggled in the 3rd, giving up 39 points in a 117-101 loss to the Hawks. Cleveland allowed Atlanta to shoot 51% from the field.

The Cavaliers also allowed 14 threes on 41% shooting. They sent the Hawks to the line 18 times, where they made 15 free throws. Cleveland finished with 9 steals but didn’t record a block.

• Across their five previous home games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 3-2 while averaging 116 points per game.
• Through their last three games as the underdog, the Cavaliers have an ATS record of 3-0 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last three games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Celtics to secure the win, with an expected final score of 142-125. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -1.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 235.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Cavaliers to reach a combined total of 267 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Cavaliers Look to Rebound Against Red-Hot Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers (17-3), still holding the NBA’s best record by winning percentage, are in unfamiliar territory as they look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. On Sunday, they host the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics (18-3) in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Cavaliers Struggling After Record-Setting Start

After a franchise-best 15-0 start to the season, Cleveland hit a roadblock in its previous meeting with Boston. The Nov. 19 game ended in a thrilling 120-117 loss to the Celtics in Boston, snapping the Cavaliers’ unbeaten streak.

Cleveland rebounded with wins over Toronto and New Orleans but faltered in back-to-back games against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks exploited Cleveland’s defense, scoring a season-high 135 points in Wednesday’s 11-point win before dealing the Cavaliers another blow with a 16-point victory on Friday in Atlanta.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson highlighted the offensive struggles in Friday’s loss, stating, “Our defensive engagement was good… but our offense kind of tanked.”

Cleveland’s high-powered offense, which leads the league with 122.4 points per game this season, stumbled against Atlanta. Despite 29 points from Darius Garland and 24 from Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers posted their lowest scoring output of the season. All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen struggled, combining for just 18 points, well below their season averages.

Celtics Riding High on Seven-Game Streak

The Boston Celtics are surging, entering Sunday’s matchup on a seven-game winning streak. They have dominated opponents with the NBA’s second-best scoring offense, averaging 121.2 points per game.

Boston’s latest triumph came Friday in a 138-129 win over the Chicago Bulls, where Jayson Tatum shone with 35 points and 14 rebounds. Tatum, who scored 33 points in the Celtics’ earlier win over Cleveland, is averaging 28.7 points this season, solidifying his place among the league’s elite scorers.

Another key contributor has been Payton Pritchard, who has stepped up in recent games. Pritchard poured in 29 points off the bench, including 19 in the fourth quarter, in Boston’s win over Chicago. He also added 20 points in the Celtics’ dominant victory over the Los Angeles Clippers earlier in the week.

“(Pritchard) is one of the best three-level scorers I’ve seen for his size,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “He’s just a high-level competitor.”

Key Matchup: High-Scoring Offenses Collide

Sunday’s game features two of the NBA’s top offenses, with Cleveland (122.4 PPG) and Boston (121.2 PPG) ranked first and second in scoring, respectively. Both teams rely on a combination of star power and depth:

Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory:

• Darius Garland & Donovan Mitchell: The dynamic backcourt duo must carry the offensive load and bounce back from their struggles against Atlanta.
• Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen: Controlling the paint will be crucial against Boston’s versatile big men.

Celtics’ Keys to Victory:

• Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown: The All-Star duo has been instrumental during Boston’s win streak.
• Bench Depth: With Pritchard emerging as a reliable scorer, Boston’s reserves could tip the scales.

What’s at Stake?

For Cleveland, Sunday’s game is a chance to reassert itself as the league’s best team while avoiding a three-game skid. For Boston, it’s an opportunity to extend its winning streak and potentially claim the NBA’s best record outright.

Prediction

The Cavaliers will look to feed off their home crowd and rediscover their offensive rhythm. However, the Celtics’ depth and recent form may prove too much for Cleveland to handle. Expect another tightly contested game, but Boston’s balanced attack could secure the edge.

Final Score Prediction: Celtics 123, Cavaliers 118