PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Wednesday NBA Playoff Destroyer
(NBA) Cleveland vs. Boston,
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
If Boston is ever going to steal a game in this Eastern Conference Finals this is its opportunity.
The Celtics are home, playing well and have momentum. The Cavaliers last played on May 7. Being idle a full nine straight days is way too much especially at this juncture of the season. Not only does this prolonged time off potentially slow down the Cavaliers' mometum, but strongly suggests a rust factor.
The key is are the Celtics good enough to take advantage? They weren't two years ago when the Cavaliers swept them. They are now.
Boston has covered nine of its last 11 games, including its past five home contests. The Celtics have played three strong games in a row in blowing out the Wizards in Game 5, falling by one point on the road and then winning by double-digits in Game 7 at home on Monday. This is a short turnaround for the Celtics, but they were idle yesterday and didn't have to do any traveling having finished off the Wizards at home.
The Celtics are not an old team either. They have enough legs, momentum and energy - fired-up by everyone completely ruling out their chances to win this series - to produce a strong effort here and take advantage of Cleveland's long layoff.
During the regular season, the Celtics were 2 and 4-point favorites, respectively, in their two home games versus the Cavaliers. Now look at the spread. OK, this is the playoffs and the Cavaliers won't be holding back. But I'd still say this is line value.
The Celtics also get a coaching edge with Brad Stevens against Tyronn Lue.
LeBron James is going to bring it. He's the King. But Isaiah Thomas has raised his game to superstar level and he hasn't tailed off in the playoffs averaging 25.4 points during the postseason. Thomas is coming off a monster Game 7 clutch performance against the Wizards where he had 29 points, 12 assists and committed only two turnovers.
Al Horford is having a strong playoffs, too, averaging 16.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and shooting 63.9 percent from the floor. Horford's confidence is sky high in his outside shooting as he's made 21 of 36 3-pointers for 58.3 percent. Horford being hot from 3-point range is the Celtics' secret weapon and a matchup problem for the Cavaliers, who wouldn't be able to pay such strict attention to Thomas.
The Celtics are home, playing well and have momentum. The Cavaliers last played on May 7. Being idle a full nine straight days is way too much especially at this juncture of the season. Not only does this prolonged time off potentially slow down the Cavaliers' mometum, but strongly suggests a rust factor.
The key is are the Celtics good enough to take advantage? They weren't two years ago when the Cavaliers swept them. They are now.
Boston has covered nine of its last 11 games, including its past five home contests. The Celtics have played three strong games in a row in blowing out the Wizards in Game 5, falling by one point on the road and then winning by double-digits in Game 7 at home on Monday. This is a short turnaround for the Celtics, but they were idle yesterday and didn't have to do any traveling having finished off the Wizards at home.
The Celtics are not an old team either. They have enough legs, momentum and energy - fired-up by everyone completely ruling out their chances to win this series - to produce a strong effort here and take advantage of Cleveland's long layoff.
During the regular season, the Celtics were 2 and 4-point favorites, respectively, in their two home games versus the Cavaliers. Now look at the spread. OK, this is the playoffs and the Cavaliers won't be holding back. But I'd still say this is line value.
The Celtics also get a coaching edge with Brad Stevens against Tyronn Lue.
LeBron James is going to bring it. He's the King. But Isaiah Thomas has raised his game to superstar level and he hasn't tailed off in the playoffs averaging 25.4 points during the postseason. Thomas is coming off a monster Game 7 clutch performance against the Wizards where he had 29 points, 12 assists and committed only two turnovers.
Al Horford is having a strong playoffs, too, averaging 16.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and shooting 63.9 percent from the floor. Horford's confidence is sky high in his outside shooting as he's made 21 of 36 3-pointers for 58.3 percent. Horford being hot from 3-point range is the Celtics' secret weapon and a matchup problem for the Cavaliers, who wouldn't be able to pay such strict attention to Thomas.
