Cleveland at Boston NBA Free Pick & Betting Prediction

Arguably the most important regular-season game remaining in the NBA is Wednesday night from Boston when the Celtics and Cavaliers square off. The winner probably takes the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics are likely to be pro basketball betting favorites in this match up.

Cleveland at Boston NBA Free Pick & Betting Prediction

When: Wednesday, April 5, 7 PM ET Where: TD Garden, Boston TV: ESPN Stream: NBA.tv Radio: Cleveland / Boston NBA Odds: TBA

Why Bet On Cleveland?

The Cavs’ recent struggles continued on Sunday as they were dragged to double overtime at home by a mediocre Indiana team but did prevail 135-130. LeBron James made a big 3-pointer in the final minute of the second overtime and scored 41 points. James added 15 rebounds and 11 assists in 52 exhausting minutes — his most in more than four years — for the defending NBA champions, whose win was overshadowed by an angry exchange between James and teammate Tristan Thompson during a timeout late in the second OT. James accepted blame for the argument and said he apologized to Thompson. LeBron’s 41 points were the third most he has scored in a triple-double. It marked the first time in James’ career that he tallied 40 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a game. James became the third player this season to have a 40-point triple-double, making this the third such season in NBA history, and first since 1962-63. Then it was Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain. In 1961-62, it was Robertson, Baylor, Jerry West and Richie Guerin. Thompson finished Sunday’s huge win with 12 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), and one steal in 43 minutes. James lit into Thompson after a late defensive possession, leading to an on-court shouting match, but LBJ downplayed the situation after the game. “I apologized,” he said. “It’s cool. I had good intentions, but was a little too demonstrative at that point in the game. I can’t show up my teammates.” Richard Jefferson (knee) returned from a two-game absence on Sunday with one rebound and one assist in 11 minutes. Kyle Korver (foot) was out Sunday vs. the Pacers. He was originally listed as doubtful, but missed his fourth straight game. Korver is switching his shoes up and believes that will help, and it sounds like he’s getting closer after going through workouts last weekend.

Why Bet On Boston?

The Celtics trail the season series 2-1 with Cleveland so if they lose this game, the Cavs would hold the tiebreaker. While Cleveland enters this one off a game vs. Orlando on Tuesday, the Celtics have been off since winning 110-94 at the Knicks on Sunday. Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points in just 24 minutes. Jaylen Brown added 16 points for the Celtics. Boston secured its first 50-win season since going 56-26 in 2010-11 and did it easily, shooting 55.6 percent and getting 14 points apiece from Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Sunday’s victory produced the 32nd 50-win season in Boston’s franchise history, tying the Celtics with the Lakers for the most such seasons in NBA history. X-rays came back clean on Jae Crowder’s left elbow, but he wasn’t able to return to Sunday’s game. Crowder is dealing with a sore elbow on his non-shooting arm. Crowder said his elbow injury is a “little weird” and added that he’s not sure why it started swelling up. “Just like when I stretch my arm out a little bit, like, a weird tingling feeling,” Crowder said. “How concerned am I? I mean, I’m worried about it. I want to see what they say. The X-ray said pretty much nothing structural so that was a good sign. But it was weird. The doctor was saying it was weird too. Just swelling on the inside of my elbow. I don’t know what it is.” The injury leaves Crowder’s status uncertain for Wednesday’s showdown with the Cavaliers. The Celtics have had their preferred starting lineup available for only 32 games this season and own a 28-4 record in those games. Boston beat Cleveland in the most recent meeting on March 1, 103-99 at home. Thomas had 31 points, while Horford was a point shy of a triple-double. James had a triple-double and Kyrie Irving 28 points.

Cleveland at Boston Free Pick: Boston Celtics

Getting the Cavs in the second of a back-to- back will be the difference.