Update: Allen and LeVert have been ruled out for the Cavaliers, who are going to attempt to stave off elimination with a roster that is a shell of itself. Mitchell has also officially been ruled out. The lines haven’t moved much and I’m sticking with Boston as the ATS pick and the over on the total.
Update: According to Shams Charania, Mitchell is expected to miss Game 5 as he continues to deal with a calf injury. The Celtics are now 16-point favorites and the total remains 205.5. I’ll maintain Boston as my ATS and the over on the total.
Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is expected to miss tonight’s potential elimination Game 5 vs. Boston, sources tell me and @joevardon. Mitchell is dealing with a calf strain. pic.twitter.com/mdp5As2FVI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2024
The Boston Celtics will have a chance to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday evening when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics hold a 3-1 edge in the series after taking both games in Cleveland to set up the opportunity to wrap the matchup at home tonight. The Cavaliers are hoping to stave off elimination and get at least one more home game this postseason.
The biggest injury question is Donovan Mitchell, who missed Game 4 with a calf injury. He’s officially listed as questionable, as is center Jarrett Allen. Allen has missed the last seven games for Cleveland. Caris LeVert has been added to the report as well. The Celtics are still without Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics are 14.5-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook with the total coming in at 205.5. Boston is -1450 on the moneyline while Cleveland is +850.
Cavaliers vs. Celtics, 7 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Celtics -14.5
Cleveland is actually 2-2 ATS in the four games so far, with an inspired effort in Game 4 without Mitchell and Allen falling just short. The Celtics should be able to close out the series at home just like they did in the first round, but the question will be the margin. Boston got a 34-point win over the Heat in Game 5 of that series.
This prediction hinges on Mitchell’s status. I don’t think he’ll be able to extend the series if he’s able to play, but he should at least keep the Cavaliers in the contest. For now, I’ll take the Celtics to close out the series in style. If Mitchell plays, Cleveland should cover.
Over/Under: Over 205.5
Three of the four games have gone over this total, even though Game 4 was the only contest where both teams topped 100 points. The Celtics have gotten into a rhythm offensively and aren’t completely reliant on the three-point shot falling, even though they occasionally devolve into that strategy. Even if Cleveland doesn’t have Mitchell, it should find enough offense like it did in Game 4 to help push this total over.