The Boston Celtics currently lead the east semifinals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0 and will host Game 2 at TD Garden on Thursday.
Jaylen Brown’s impressive 32 points led the Celtics to a resounding 120-95 victory over the Cavaliers. While, Jayson Tatum’s 18 points and 11 rebounds were instrumental in giving Boston the lead in the second-round playoff series.
It remains uncertain when the top-seeded Celtics will have center Kristaps Porzingis back in action. He is currently sidelined with a strained right calf.
Updated NBA playoff bracket: results, schedule, and full NBA postseason picture
East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 predictions
Sportsbook wire: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 105
Staff writes: “The 120.6 points per game the Celtics put up are 10.4 more points than the Cavaliers give up (110.2). Boston has a 40-21-3 record against the spread and a 57-7 record overall when scoring more than 110.2 points. Cleveland is 32-20-1 against the spread and 38-15 overall when it scores more than 109.2 points.”
Clutch points: Pick Boston
Robert B. Hayek writes: “At first, you might think the spread is too slanted in favor of Boston. But then you remember the Cavaliers have struggled on the road through the first four attempts in the playoffs. Somehow, the Cavs have lost by 20-0r-more points in three of four road playoff games. The only game they covered the spread on the road. Can they make this interesting? It all depends on how their secondary players do go off for 40 points, and it wouldn’t matter if the team behind him did nothing. Consequently, we believe that continues, at least in Game 2.”
ESPN: Boston has a 68% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Boston Celtics have a 68.6% chance to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2.
East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 betting lines, odds
The Boston Celtics are favored to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2according to the BetMGM odds.
- Spread: Boston (-13.5)
- Moneylines: Boston (-924); Dallas (+617)
- Total Over/Under: 212
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East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics schedule
| Games | Location | Date/Time | TV/Streaming |
| Game 1 | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Tuesday, May 7 at 7 pm ET | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 2 | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Thursday, May 9 at 7 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Game 3 | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Saturday, May 11 at 8:30 pm ET | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Game 4 | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Monday, May 13 at 7 pm ET | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 5 (If necessary) | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Wednesday, May 15 at TBD | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 6(If necessary) | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Friday, May 17 at TBD | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Game 7(If necessary) | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Sunday, May 19 at TBD | TBD |
How to watch: Catch all the NBA Play-In Tournament action on ESPN+
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