Boston (35-15) at Cleveland (40-9)
- When: Feb 4 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, USA
- TV: TNT
Game Preview
Cleveland (-2) vs. Boston | Total: 238.0
Two of the NBA’s top Eastern Conference contenders collide Tuesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics in a pivotal matchup with playoff seeding implications. Cleveland sits atop the East standings, while Boston trails by 5.5 games and looks to close the gap.
Boston Celtics: Can They Overcome Road Struggles?
The Celtics (39-14) enter this matchup riding a three-game winning streak, but their latest victory was nothing short of miraculous. On Sunday, Boston pulled off a 26-point comeback to stun the Philadelphia 76ers, tying the largest deficit overcome by any team this season.
Jayson Tatum emphasized the importance of their second-half surge:
“We just had a choice to make,” Tatum said. “It took a little bit from everybody. Our competitive joy was there on both ends, and it was just fun to be a part of.”
Boston’s three-point shooting (17.8 made threes per game) continues to be its most dangerous weapon, leading the NBA. However, they’ll need to bring that firepower against a Cleveland team that boasts the league’s best three-point shooting percentage (39.6%).
Boston has struggled on the road at times but still holds an impressive 19-6 record away from home. A win in Cleveland would further cement their dominance over the East’s top teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The League’s Best Home Team
The Cavaliers (38-16) are nearly unbeatable at home, boasting a 24-3 record at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Fresh off a 144-101 blowout of the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland is looking to extend its four-game winning streak.
Their success is largely fueled by elite perimeter shooting—they have hit 10+ three-pointers in 54 straight games, ranking just behind the Houston Rockets’ all-time record of 97.
Sam Merrill was the story of their latest win, draining nine three-pointers to break out of a recent slump.
“It feels good to have a great shooting game like that, but it’s only one game,” Merrill said. “It’s all about getting into a rhythm.”
With Cleveland leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (39.6%) and averaging 16.3 made threes per game, this game could turn into a long-range shootout.
Betting Predictions & Best Bets
Spread Pick: Cavaliers -2 → Cleveland is dominant at home (24-3), while Boston has had inconsistent stretches on the road. The Cavs have the shooting efficiency and depth to edge out the Celtics.
Total Pick: Over 238 → Both teams rank in the top five in three-pointers made per game and have explosive scoring potential. Expect a high-scoring affair.
Player Prop: Jayson Tatum Over 29.5 Points → Tatum has been on fire, and with Boston needing a big road win, expect him to take over.
Player Prop: Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 Made Threes → The Cavs’ star guard thrives in big moments and will look to light it up from deep.
Boston and Cleveland have split their two meetings this season, but with the Cavs’ home dominance and three-point efficiency, they hold the edge.
Final Score Prediction: Cavaliers 122, Celtics 118.
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- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
