The Cavs offense is simply not the same on the highway. In the series v Orlando they scored 83, 89 and 96. Plus, IF this is blowout….the Cavs are a team that pulls up the gear and says “see ya next time”. Let’s play the Boston D which should be better without Portzingis

The great Alex S. Pointed this out and after I crunched the numbers I liked it very very much as well. I project 7

We will see a different Evan Mobley this series. Against Orlando, he was mostly concerned with guarding the 3-4 young athletic bigs that were down in the paint with him at any given moment. With no Porzingis, and a less athletic Al Horford as his biggest problem, I see Mobley having some more offensive opportunities. If we get Jarrett Allen tonight, it gives Mobley more time to focus on his shot. If we don't get Allen, he should still get enough action to eclipse this, knowing that Darius Garland is shaky and Donovan Mitchell can't do it all on his own. The SL makes the number 17.

Throughout the Celtics postseason runs over the years, Al Horford has been one of my top postseason prop players. Four to 5 games in the postseason I’ll attack, and here in game one figures to be a good spot. You have the Cleveland Cavaliers off a quick turn around from their game seven Sunday win. Their defense may be a step slow on the non main option Celtics players. Horford also needs to relish his old role postseason role with Porzingis hurt. Take his over.

This is a huge RA line for Derrick White in what projects to be a low scoring environment, between two teams that both play slow, and should feature minimal possessions. White has yet to tally 9 RA in Boston's 5 game series against Miami. White has been held under this line in 24/26 playoff games dating back to last season.

We'll assume there will be more scoring in this series than we saw in Cleveland's opening-round matchup vs. the pace-conscious Magic. Keep in mind that all of the regular-season meetings between the Cavs and Celtics landed above the 207.5 posted for tonight, and Cleveland will be less than whole defensively if rim protector Jarrett Allen continues to be sidelined. Boston's offense began to hum pretty good in the opening round vs. Miami, scoring at a 110 pg clip, and that included a subpar effort in Game 2 and calling off the dogs in Game 5, when Boston was already on 98 points and ahead by 32 into the 4th Q (the game ended 118-84). Play Cavs-Celtics "Over"

Tatum has too much game for this Cavs team, especially one either without Jarrett Allen defending the rim or with a compromised version of him out there. Tatum's ability to drive and pick up fouls and also glide out to the perimeter and lock in from there will present big problems for the Cavs. He had to be watching Banchero the final 4 games of that CLE first round series licking his chops. Fresh legs and plenty of rest and probably no Porzingis - I'm projecting closer to 35 for Tatum in Game 1

Grab this now because it will grow for Game 2 and I'm not sure there will be a Game 5 back at Boston to cash again. We chronicled BOS 1at half covering machine at home in second half of regular season. We like to pound the first quarter too but with so much time off for BOS they might be rusty so let's go first 24 mins. To refresh BOS +8.7 at home first half, 2.5 better than any other team. Led MIA 60-45 at half in Game 1, only by 3 in Game 2 (letdown game) and 68-46 in Game 5. CLE 13th in road 1st half +/- (not bad) but running into a well-rested buzzsaw in Boston after struggling with naive Magic.

The Celtics are the class of the East, it isn't even close, and they love destroying lesser teams from the opening jump at home. Stealing their souls within the first 12 mins. The Cavs showed again in the first round how erratic and flawed they are, and can't afford to play from behind in this series but often will. Still not sold on Jarrett Allen being back and not worries if Porzingis plays Game 1 or now. Celtics super refreshed after long layoff while Cavs played a Game 7 Sun. BOS 14-1 in last 15 at home; 11 wins by 15+ with average margin of 22.1. Will use Game 2 loss to Heat to their advantage here. If they can slow Donavan Mitchell they sweep