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The Boston Celtics would earn a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals with a Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday as the series shifts to Beantown.

The Celtics aren’t losing the game but whether they cover a big number on the NBA odds likely depends on the health of Cavs starters Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen.

Expert Pick Celtics -15.5 (total 206)
What´s the Score? Celtics 113, Cavaliers 100

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Line +350

Will the Cavs have arguably their two best players on Wednesday in guard Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen? The latter has not played yet in the series due to a ribs injury suffered in Round 1. He has been questionable the past couple so might be getting close. Mitchell was hurt late in Game 3 but widely expected to play in Game 4 on Monday but “Spida” didn’t due to a strained left calf. He should be listed as questionable as well.

Mitchell had a team-high 33 points in Game 3 and has scored at least 25 points in six straight playoff games, joining LeBron James as the only players to do that in franchise history. It is the 5th-longest streak of 25+ PTS in the postseason in Cavs history. Over those last 6 games, Mitchell is averaging 35.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 4.5 APG in 41.0 MPG. Mitchell is averaging 31.8 PPG against the Celtics over his last 13 matchups since Nov. 17th, 2018, marking the highest scoring average of any player in the NBA against the Celtics over that span.

Despite missing those two, the Cavs put up a nice fight in Game 4 on Monday, covering a double-digit spread in a 109-102 home loss to fall down 3-1.

Darius Garland stepped up big for Mitchell with 30 points and seven assists in 40 minutes. Garland led all Cavaliers in scoring while connecting on a quartet of threes, handing out a team-high-tying assist total and adding a pair of steals in a well-rounded Game 4. Garland, playing with more weight on his shoulders to lead the short-handed Cavaliers offensively, posted his highest scoring total of the postseason. He has recorded at least 14 points and four assists in all four games against Boston in the series.

Usual sixth man Caris LeVert started for Mitchell and had 19 points, five boards and three assists. LeVert struggled in Game 1, but he has averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists over their last three games. He would return to the bench if Mitchell plays. Max Strus added 15 points, seven boards and seven assists in likely his best game of the series. Strus entered halftime with 15 points on five triples as they trailed by just five points. However, things were much different in the second half. He missed all five of his shot attempts but added six rebounds and six assists before fouling out late in the fourth.

“They’re a connected group that has been resilient all year long,” said Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the effort. “We’ve been through a ton with this group, and never once has our group folded when guys have had opportunities or the team needs them to step up. They’ve always stepped up and given us a chance, and I thought they did a great job of that.”

The Celtics attempted 24 free throws while the Cavs took just seven shots from the charity stripe. Many Cleveland players and coaches thought that discrepancy was ridiculous – especially for a road team. The Cavaliers did take a lot more 3-pointers than the Celtics, leading in attempts 48-32. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Cavs weren’t attacking and putting pressure on the rim as they led in points in the paint, 44-38.

“This is our second time in the playoffs this year like under 10 free throws (in a game),” Garland said. “I’m not going to go into it, but that’s ridiculous. For the amount of drives that we have, the amount of paint attacks, whatever you want to call it, it’s really tough just having seven free throws in a basketball game when they’re getting 24.”

Boston Celtics Betting Line -481

The Celtics might have taken the short-handed Cavs a bit lightly in Game 4 but a win is a win and now the C’s are a game from a return to the Eastern Conference Finals and likely looking at a fair amount of time off because the other East semifinal, /sportsbook/nba/indiana-pacers/ vs. New York Knicks, is guaranteed to go at least six games and probably will go seven.

Jayson Tatum was great again in the 109-102 Game 4 victory with 33 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. He led all players in points and rebounds. Tatum has scored 25 or more points in three of his four games against Cleveland, turning things up a notch over the last two contests while posting at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each game.

Jaylen Brown had 27 points and eight rebounds. Aside from a “subpar” performance in their Game 2 loss, Brown has been fantastic this series. He has now scored at least 25 points in five games this postseason, three of which have been in this series. Brown has turned his game up a notch over the last two games against Cleveland, posting at least 25 points and eight boards in each.

Jrue Holiday also had a strong line with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Holiday has been a disappointment this postseason, but he has been much better over their last two games. After scoring in double figures in just three of their first seven playoff games, Holiday averaged 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the past two.

It was Boston’s first game of these playoffs in which fewer than 10 points decided the final score, and it was their first win by fewer than 13. It was also the first time they were in a clutch scenario (when the score is within five points during the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime) since a 101-100 win over the Kings on April 5.

“It’s been a while since we had a grind-it-out, tough, back-and-forth, fight-it-out game,” said Holiday. “So it felt good to really just get out there and execute and know that any type of game we play, we can execute and get the win.”

Boston was stronger on the boards (48-32), better on the break (22 points in nine opportunities) and cleaned up a turnover issue (10 in the first half, five from there). “Passing to the guys in the green jerseys,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s the most poise you can have.”

The Celtics head into Game 5 looking to close out a team at home for a second straight series after doing so in five games against Miami in the first round. They will also have a chance to overcome some questionable play at home in the playoffs. Over the past three postseasons, Boston is 14-14 at home — the most games played (28) without a winning record at home over three postseasons in NBA history. By comparison, the C’s are 18-7 on the road in that span.

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Cavaliers at Celtics Info

When: Wednesday, 7 PM ET
Where: TD Garden
TV: TNT
Stream: TNT app
Radio: Tunein.com

DEN and NYK take 3-2 series leads in Game 5!

The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel continues Wednesday on TNT. pic.twitter.com/kt3sR9JKVa
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2024