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The Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers will meet in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night, with the Celtics looking to protect home court advantage as the series is currently tied at 2-2.
The Celtics were dominant in the first two games in Boston, blowing out Cleveland twice to take a 2-0 lead and build on their exceptional record at home in this years’ playoffs. Boston is 9-0 at home in the postseason, but they are not the same team on the road, and that was visible in Games 3 and 4 – as they lost both of those and allowed the Cavs to even up the series at 2-2.
Cleveland looked and was completely outplayed in the first two games before bouncing back and doing the business at home. But, while they were dominant in Game 3, they didn`t look quite as good in Game 4. They eventually won by 9 points, but partially blew an early 19 point lead and allowed Boston to hang around until the end. They will need to be better if they want to finally get one on the road.
Bet on Celtics vs Cavaliers and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Boston has the same old injuries, missing Irving, Hayward, Theis and Larkin. Larkin is listed as doubtful and might come back tonight, chances being around 40% for that to happen. Meanwhile, the Cavs are fully healthy.
Despite losing Game 4, Boston will take away some confidence from that. While the first three games were blowouts for the home team, Game 4 was tighter, and the Celtics managed to hang around despite not shooting well. They held Cleveland’s role players in check and only a 44 point performance from Lebron James kept the Cavs in control. It is a fact that the Celtics have been the better team in the last three quarters of Game 4.
Now, with the series back in Boston, you would expect the Celtics to shoot better, as role players are always better at home than away. On the same note, Cleveland’s role players are likely to struggle.
The Celtics are just a different animal at home, they are undefeated at TD Garden in the playoffs, and it`s fair to say that the Cavs did not show enough in Game 4 to make us believe they can turn it around in Boston – after being completely outplayed in the first two games there.
Lebron James can never be counted out and he will always be in with a shot, but the value is on the Celtics here, as Cleveland is just not playing well enough to be considered as a favorite (or very close underdog) at TD Garden. My tip is Boston to win. Prediction: Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers 102 – 97.
Pick: Celtics
Odds: 1.96 @ 1xBet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.72
Event date: 24 May
