Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The standout game in the NBA on Tuesday comes from TD Garden, as the defending champion Boston Celtics host current Eastern Conference leaders, Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics claimed top seed in the East last season with a league best 64-18 record, before going on to win the Championship by seeing off the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

Boston have made a strong start to the new season and are 11-3, but the Cavaliers are setting the pace after a blistering 15-0 opening.

Jrue Holiday may sit out for the Celtics after missing the overtime win over the Toronto Raptors over the weekend and Kristaps Porzingis is a long-term absentee.

Cleveland have a number of injury issues, but Donovan Mitchell is expected to return after sitting out the win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics betting picks and predictions

Cleveland Cavaliers +4.5 (-115)

Boston ended Cleveland’s playoff bid in five games last season, but the Cavs have a chance to take some revenge on Tuesday as they arrive in sensational form.

The visitors have already beaten the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks twice this season and are definitely worth a look at +165 on the Money Line, but the more prudent option is backing the Cavs to cover the spread with a +4.5-point start.

The Celtics are on an up-and-down run with two defeats in their last six games and two overtime victories in that span.

Both of their defeats have come in home games and Boston haven’t won any of their last four at the Garden in regulation, while, of course, the Cavs arrive with a perfect road record.

The Cavs should have leading scorer Mitchell back on Tuesday after he was rested against Charlotte.

Despite his absence, the Cavs still managed to tie the second-best start in NBA history with that win over the Hornets and, even if they can’t extend that run further, they should be able to at least keep the game close against a Boston team still seeking their best form in this battle between the top two in the East. 

Jaylen Brown Over 24.5 points (-115)

Jaylen Brown is averaging 25.6 points per game for the season and scoring at least 25 looks a very achievable target for the Boston forward on Tuesday.

He hit over 25 points in three of the five playoff games between these teams last season and he comes into this latest meeting on a hot streak.

The 28-year-old has scored at least 20 points in nine of the 10 games he has played this season and had at least 25 points in six of those.

The three-time All-Star had 27 points in the win over Toronto and had enough openings to finish with a higher total, so opportunities are coming Brown’s way and he can score plenty in this key game against the Cavs.

Darius Garland Over 6.5 assists (-140)

Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland had a season-high 12 assists in the win over the Hornets and should be able to finish with at least seven against the Celtics.

He is averaging 7.0 per game overall and has managed at least eight dimes in five of his last nine games, with 21 in total across his last two.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics odds

Cleveland Cavaliers	+165 ML
Boston Celtics	-200 ML
Spread	BOS Celtics -4.5
Total Points	O/U 235.0

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics player props

Player Points

Jayson Tatum (BOS Celtics)	O/U 27.5
Donovan Mitchell (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 27.5
Jaylen Brown (BOS Celtics)	O/U 24.5
Darius Garland (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 19.5
Derrick White (BOS Celtics)	O/U 16.5
Evan Mobley (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 15.5

Read the latest NBA news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.