LeBron James wasn’t panicking when the Cleveland Cavaliers fell behind 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and his team proved why in Game 3. The Cavs dominated from start to finish to pull within a game of the Boston Celtics. They will look to knot up the series with a similar performance in Game 4.
Cleveland was a healthy favorite last time out despite losing the first two games of the series and will be once again in this matchup. The Celtics did not look very good in Game 3 but if they manage to pull the upset here they will be in the driver’s seat to make it to the NBA Finals.
This is a critical game, as the winner will be favored to make it to the Finals and compete for an NBA title. The Celtics figure to play better but the Cavs have James and the home court advantage in NBA basketball betting lines.
Game 4 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers check in as 7-point favorites, which is already up a point than the initial release. The Cavaliers are getting nearly 70 percent of the action to cover the spread from the betting public.
The scoring total is listed at 207 points, and the “over” is the more common choice. Cleveland is listed as the -320 favorite on the moneyline, while the Celtics are +260 favorites. Even at these odds, the Cavs are the more common pick on the moneyline in NBA basketball wagering.
Last Time Out
Facing a two-game hole coming into Game 3, and after three days of rest, James and the Cavaliers came out much sharper at home. Cleveland came out swinging from the jump, leading by 20 points a halftime and never looking back for the 116-86 victory.
James finished with 27 points and also had 12 assists while Kevin Love added 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Cavs out-shot, out-rebounded and outplayed the Celtics in this one, but will have to find a way to keep the momentum going if they want to turn this series around.
Boston shot poorly from the field and was ice cold from three-point range, hitting 6-of-22. Jayson Tatum finished as the team’s leading scorer with 18 points and Terry Rozier was the next highest contributor with 13 points.
Key Stat
39.2. That’s the percentage the Celtics shot from the floor in Game 3. The worry heading into the playoffs is that the team wouldn’t be able to create enough offense with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward sidelined due to injuries.
It hasn’t been too big of a concern as Boston is into the conference finals and leading the Cavs, but Cleveland hopes to have found a defensive strategy that will work out.
The Celtics missed some shots they usually make in Game 3 but overall they weren’t getting quality looks. Boston needs to move the ball and hit open shots or else the series will be tied 2-2 after these contests in Cleveland.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Cavaliers got much better showings out of a variety of players last time out and are now on the grasp of tying this series. The Celtics aren’t likely to get blown out in Game 4 but this is going to be a tough game, knowing how much the Cavaliers need it to get back in the series.
James should have another stellar game to lead the way, as Cleveland is the choice to both win this game and cover the spread in NBA basketball gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Cavaliers 108, Celtics 100
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