Cavs vs Celtics Prediction, Picks, Odds for Tonight’s NBA Playoff Game

The Boston Celtics are looking to send the Cleveland Cavaliers to Cancun following Game 5 on May 15.

With Donovan Mitchell sidelined tonight, I think it's vacation time for Cleveland, but my Cavs vs. Celtics prediction is targeting the Over on Sam Hauser's points prop rather than targeting the bigger stars. Check out why in my NBA picks below.

Cavaliers vs Celtics prediction

My best bet
Sam Hauser Over 3.5 points (-105 at bet365)

Best odds available in your region

My analysis
This is an extremely dangerous game to get involved with NBA player props. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 15.5-point underdogs on the road, Mitchell is likely out, and we're still awaiting more injury news regarding Allen and LeVert.

I personally think you saw Cleveland's best effort without "Spida" in Game 4 when they only lost by seven. They might fold like a cheap tent tonight with their bags already packed for down south.

With that being said, I'm attacking a prop I feel gives me an edge regardless of how this game plays out. We need around 11 minutes of playing time from Sam Hauser to establish that edge. 

That's completely possible in a normal game, but we could see a lot more than 11 minutes if this turns into a blowout. This angle is what draws me to this bet because I feel like I have an edge regardless, but a blowout gives me an even bigger one.

Hauser is a shooter, and those 3-point shots become a lot easier when the spread is so big and you're playing in front of your home crowd. You see it all the time in basketball: when it rains, it pours because the team with a big lead is just letting it fly with no pressure. Hauser could find himself in that environment tonight with elevated minutes.

I placed this bet earlier in the morning at 3.5 (+120), and since then, this prop has seen quite a bit of movement, with the best price now -105. Your expected value has dropped, but it's still a number I'd be looking to attack as Hauser is projected to have 4.4 points, which allows us to price Over 3.5 points at -125. 

This projection is also very conservative because it's based on Hauser playing 11 minutes, so there's a chance the right game script drastically increases your edge.

Cavaliers vs Celtics same-game parlay (SGP)

Sam Hauser Over 3.5 points

Payton Pritchard Over 8.5 points

Boston Celtics -15.5

+450 at bet365

If the game isn't competitive in the fourth quarter and the Celtics are running with their backups, not only should Hauser see increased minutes and usage, but so should Payton Pritchard. It'll take the same type of game for both players to see elevated minutes, and for that reason, I'm pairing them together in this SGP.

I'm also pairing the Hauser and Pritchard props with the Celtics covering the spread of 15.5 points, and I think this leg is fairly self-explanatory. A Celtics blowout helps the first two legs of our bet. I also wouldn't be opposed to using an alternate spread on the Celtics to increase your payout.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Cavaliers vs Celtics odds

Cavaliers vs Celtics live odds

Get the latest Cavaliers vs Celtics NBA playoff odds for Game 5.

Cavaliers vs Celtics opening odds

• Spread: Cleveland +13.5 (-110) | Boston -13.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Cleveland +750 | Boston -1200
• Over/Under: Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis

• The Celtics opened as 13.5-point favorites on Wednesday over the Cavaliers and are now trading as 15.5-point favorites.
• We did see this line touch as high as Celtics -16 when it was reported that Mitchell is unlikely to play in Game 5.
• The total opened at 206.5 at FanDuel and has moved one point towards the Under to 205.5.
• We are still awaiting more injury news from the Cavaliers regarding LeVert, Allen, and the official status of Mitchell, which should cause some movement on these numbers.

Cavaliers vs Celtics trend

The Boston Celtics have covered the first-half spread in 64 of their last 94 games (+29.90 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Celtics.

Cavaliers vs Celtics game info

Cavaliers vs Celtics latest injuries

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