Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview (11/2/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

The Boston Celtics are visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers and are seeking to win their sixth straight game. This should be an interesting matchup for the Eastern Conference pecking order especially to see how much of a factor the Cavaliers are. You can look at the starting lineups and injuries for each team below. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

The Boston Celtics are 2-point road favorites against the Cavaliers and are at -130 on the money line. The over/under is also at 220. The Celtics being favored here doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Cavaliers have been the hotter team and are at home, it feels like oddsmakers like the Celtics just because they’re the Celtics and won the East last year. Boston is having a good year this year too, but it feels like they are getting a benefit of the doubt. The over/under being at 22o seems about right, especially with the Celtics being as good as they are on the defensive side of the court.

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Pick: Cavaliers +2

The Donovan Mitchell trade seems to have worked out pretty well for the Cavaliers. They lost their first game out of the gate, but have since won five straight games and have their sights set on six with this game. Donovan Mitchell is easily the best player for the Cavaliers now and has jumped up into being their leader in scoring, assists, and steals. Again, it’s still early in the season, but you can’t argue with the results up to this point. The supporting cast has also been great, with Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen leading the way on that end. The Celtics have been great so far this year, especially in responding to the sudden suspension of their head coach right before the season started. The scoring load has been split between Jayson Tatum as the primary scorer, and then Jaylen Brown right behind him. Jayson Tatum is also the team’s leading rebounder, while Marcus Smart leads the way for passing and steals. The Celtics are primed to stay in contention even without Ime Udoka this year, but this particular situation could be difficult. The height of the Cavaliers will most likely be the difference here, and is why the Cavaliers are the best bet here.

Betting Trends

• Celtics are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 2 days rest.
• Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Key Matchups

Can Jaylen Brown or Donovan Mitchell get hotter in this game? Will the experience of Al Horford or the talent of Evan Mobley win out here?

Donovan Mitchell vs. Jaylen Brown

Donovan Mitchell is the key for the Cavaliers and is averaging 32.2 points per game for Cleveland so far. Jaylen Brown is the second leading scorer for the Celtics at 25.8 points a game. This will easily be one of the best matchups going on in this game. When comparing the two, Mitchell scores more, has more assists, and has more steals on a per average basis. Brown averages more rebounds and more blocks than Mitchell which could be key for defense between the two. The Celtics will have a better shot here if they can contain Mitchell.

Al Horford vs. Evan Mobley

Al Horford is a huge key for the Celtics in this particular matchup because of how tall the Cavaliers are. Evan Mobley is the youngest player for the Cavaliers and is the future of the franchise. Mobley is averaging 15.8 points and 6 rebounds a game so far this year, while Horford averages 8 points and 5 rebounds a game so far. They only played in two games against each other last year and the Celtics won one while the Cavaliers won one. Mobley had more rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in their matchups, while Horford had more points. This is a huge key matchup in this game, and one the Celtics need to win to have a chance here.

Boston Celtics Starting Lineup

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Al Horford

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Caris LeVert
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

Key Injuries

Boston Celtics Injuries: C Robert Williams III (Knee) O, PF Danilo Gallinari (Knee) O

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries: PG Darius Garland (Eye) Q, PG Ricky Rubio (Knee) Q