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Derrick White has arguably been Boston's top player this postseason, though he's coming off a terrible Game 2. I like White to bounce back and be more aggressive attacking the basket, in addition to locating his 3-point touch. With Kristaps Porzingis out, White is taking the third-most shots while averaging 34 minutes played in the playoffs.
Each superstar in the postseason is going to have an extra tax to their props. For the Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has not looked like himself. Through seven postseason games he is shooting under forty percent. Look for Tatum to adjust his game with the Celtics needing him to step up on the road in game three. Double digit made free throws along with a combination of field goals will get him past his points prop. Take Tatum’s over to hit for the first time this postseason.
Postseason patterns have been apart of the Boston Celtics playoff runs for years. Game two has been an issue thus far in both postseason series, but look for Boston to turn it up a notch in game three. From an offensive stand point expect a night and day difference from game two. The Cavaliers may be in the second round but they are extremely vulnerable as witnessed in three losses to the Magic, and game one to the Celtics. Lay it with Boston.
There’s some better odds out there for this one. When Jayson Tatum’s PRA line is set at 42, he’s gone over this number once this postseason, 43 against Miami in game one. This season, he’s played the Cavaliers five times and has failed to go over 42 PRA in all five. Tatum has not gone over his PRA, when set at 42, in six of his last eight road games which include five straight.
After Boston lost Game 2 to the Heat in the first round, everyone overreacted -- partially because of the history of that rivalry -- and all the Celtics did was come out and boat race the Heat by 24 in the first half of Game 3. I don't think the lead will be that big tonight, but I do expect the Celtics to put their foot down early and often in Game 3 at Cleveland.
This is a huge number for Payton Pritchard who has been excellent through two games in this series against Cleveland, although I don't believe his current production is sustainable. This series also shifts back to Cleveland and I believe this will continue to be a low scoring environment with minimal possessions.
Maybe we get lucky and Jarrett Allen returns, although I'm not exactly counting on that. Even not, I think at home the Cavs are more than capable of staying inside this number, although in a way I'd prefer they were coming off a second straight loss in the series instead of the stunning victory in Boston.
Often in the past, especially in the playoffs, when the Celtics are looking to bounce back from a poor effort at home, it is the Boston defense that steps up and restores order. Such was the case in the first round vs. Miami, when the Celtics (as in this series) lost Game 2 at home, but recovered to throttle the Heat in Games 3 and 4, and finished that series allowing just 85 ppg across the last three games. Remember, Cleveland's offense had been erratic earlier in these playoffs, and another 55% shooting display might be wishful thinking for Cavs backers. If form holds, it's Boston's defense that will allow the Celtics to regain the edge in this series. Play Celtics-Cavs "Under"
Stop us if you've heard this before...Boston lays an egg in a home playoff game. It happened again in Game 2 vs. the Cavs, the 14th loss in the last 28 home playoff games for the Celtics. Usually, however, Boston recovers quickly, as the case in the first round vs. Miami when the Celtics similarly lost Game 2 at TD Garden before roaring back to win the next three. Cleveland might be hard-pressed to hit another 55% from the floor as in Game 2, and Boston's defense has held foes beneath 100 points in five of seven playoff games this spring. Expect Tatum, Brown, and White to step up as they so often have for the Celtics in recent years. Play Celtics
Welp, the Celtics are following the script from the first round so far. Blowout win in the opener on long rest, basically decided by halftime. Then let up in Game 2 and get embarrassed at home. Then rip the soul out of the other team's body in front of their home fans in Game 3. Would that be a shocker here? Expect Boston to respond to the wake-up call again. They are far better and deeper than the Cavs. Cleveland due for a home loss; this ain't the upstart Magic coming to town this time. Tatum and Brown will both go off in the same game at some point in this series, and I think it's this weekend