The Cavaliers take on the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. (Getty)
The Eastern Conference Finals kicks off tonight in Boston as the Celtics host the Cavs. According to OddsShark, the Cavaliers are favored by four points over the Celtics in Game 1. The over-under is set at 219.5 points.
The OddsShark computer likes the Cavs to get off to a good start in the opener. The computer projects a 116.9-107.4 Cavs victory. The computer is taking Cleveland to cover the spread and the over on the point total.
It has been a great week in Boston. Monday night the Celtics defeated the Wizards in a Game 7 to advance to the conference finals. The next night the Celtics won the lottery thanks to a prior trade the team made with the Nets.
The Cavs won three out of four regular season matchups against the Celtics. There is a concern in the opener over how Cleveland will respond to a long layoff. We saw the Warriors face a similar challenge in the opening game of the Western Conference Finals. Golden State got off to a poor start and trailed by more than 20 points.
The Warriors were able to come back thanks in part to Kawhi Leonard leaving the game with an injury. Golden State also has more offensive firepower than Cleveland which allowed them to come back.
The Celtics are 8-2 against the spread in their last ten games. Heavy likes Boston to use the positive momentum to their advantage against a rusty Cavs team. We like Boston to not only cover the spread but win the game outright in an upset.
Heavy’s Pick: Celtics 107 Cavaliers 104. Celtics +4. Under on the Point Total.