Betdistrict.com
The 2017 / 2018 NBA season opener will see the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night / Wednesday morning (European time) in a repeat of last year’s Eastern Conference final, which saw an easy 4-1 Cleveland win.
There is a lot of hype behind the game given the fact that Cleveland traded Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Jae Crowder and Isiah Thomas (unavailable today), alongside other assets. More importantly, Lebron James is reported as questionable for the Cavs, after he missed the last preseason game with an ankle issue.
The Cavs were humbled 1-4 by the Golden State Warriors in last year’s finals, after previously cruising through the East – including an easy dispatch of the Celtics. Cleveland made a lot of moves this Summer, the biggest one being a deal which sent their second best player, Irving, to the Celtics. The Cavs got back Thomas (unavailable today), Crowder and some other assets. Along with the additions of Dwayne Wade and Derrick Rose, chances are Cavs will be better than last year after that trade. Rose will be a good replacement for the unavailable Thomas in this game.
The Celtics decided that this season is finally the time to challenge Cleveland, and they put their assets on the table in order to take away Kyrie Irving from the Cavs. They also signed another All Star in Gordon Hayward, but these moves cost them a lot. Guys like Crowder or Bradley are huge losses, and it`s questionable if Boston will actually be better than last year.
Bet on Cavaliers vs Celtics and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!The big news ahead of this game is the questionable status of Lebron James, which determined odds on Boston to drop big time. Lebron is obviously the difference between Cavs being a 1.35 or so favorite in this clash, or it being a 50-50 game, maybe with an edge for Boston.
However, Lebron is highly expected to play. This is not the first time he declared himself questionable ahead of a match, and he always ended up playing. Chances he`ll play are even bigger considering that it`s the season opener at home against his former teammate Kyrie Irving, who left the team because of Lebron`s dominant personality, and threw light shots at Cleveland in the off season.
I think he’ll be OK, though. That would be a tough one for him personally to miss. There’s a lot of hype behind the game but like I told him, we got to be smart about it. It’s just one game, but I think he’ll be OK. – Tyronn Lue, Cavs coach
To me, the above statement seems almost like an acknowledgement that James will play, given how managers usually lie or use blunt statements in these situations.
Listen, Cavs are still a better team than Boston after the Summer moves, even if they miss Isiah Thomas. What`s more, they will have better chemistry than Boston early in the season. Both teams made a lot moves, but the Cavs only have to integrate the new players into the Lebron system, while the Celtics have to revamp their entire style around new signings Irving and Hayward, which are now their best players.
All in all, it`s all about Lebron James’ availability here. I highly expect him to play, which should make the Cavs a 7 or 8 point favorite. IF he doesn`t play, the game is there for the taking, with Boston arguably a small favorite.
If Lebron James ends up not playing, it means that my analysis was wrong, and we have to pray for some good fortune. The Cavs can cover the spread without Lebron, but they wouldn`t be favorites. If Lebron is declared fit, as expected, odds will plummet on the Cavs, and that`s why I think it`s smart to take this bet early.
My tip is Cleveland to cover the -3 (asian) handicap. Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers – Boston Celtics 109 – 97.
Pick: Cavaliers -3
Odds: 1.94 @ 1xBet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.46
Event date: 17 October
