LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to finish off the Boston Celtics Thursday night at the TD Garden (Getty)
After rebounding from a surprising Game 3 loss and taking care of the Celtics in Game 4 — thanks to some heroics from Kyrie Irving — the Cavaliers are just one win away from a third straight NBA Finals appearance and a meeting with the Golden State Warriors.
Up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, the Cavaliers are favored by 10 points over the Celtics in Game 4 — according to OddsShark. The over-under is set at 216.5 points.
The OddsShark computer likes the Cavs in Game 4 and ending Boston’s season, projecting a 121.6-95.1 Cavs victory. The computer is taking Cleveland to cover the spread and taking the over on the point total.
It was a brutal first two games for Boston, having lost by a combined 57 points — including a 44 point blowout in Game 2. In that game, the Cavs set an NBA playoff-record for largest halftime lead, 41. But in Game 3, somehow with the Cavs favored by 17 points, the Celtics were able to pull of the upset in Cleveland and make the series somewhat interesting. James was held to 11 points on 4-13 shooting, while turning the ball over six times.
The Cavs won three out of four regular season matchups against the Celtics and are 7-3 in their last 10 against the team in green, but only 4-5-1 against the spread. The point total has gone UNDER in four of their last six games in Boston.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are 11-4 overall against the spread in their last 15 games, and the point total has gone OVER in five of their last six home games.
Cleveland looked a bit vulnerable in Game 3 and the first half of Game 4, trailing 57-47 at the break. But Irving went all Uncle Drew on the Celtics, dropping 21 points in the third quarter and 42 for the game, propelling the Cavs to a 13 point victory. If Irving continues to cook and LeBron is LeBron, the C’s have no shot. Factor in the Cavs have won 12 straight closeout games, Boston’s season will most likely end tonight. Let’s go with the Cavs and take the OVER.
Heavy’s Pick: Cavaliers 115 -10, Celtics 102. Over on the Point Total.
