Lebron James betting & tips – NBA Playoffs Cleveland vs. Boston odds

Game 1, May 13, 3:30 PM EST at TD Garden Boston, MA

While the Cavaliers were not very impressive in winning their first playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in seven games, they were excellent in sweeping the Toronto Raptors in their last series. Overall, the Cavs are hot winners of five in a row and seven of their last eight games.

The Celtics run to the Eastern Conference semifinals has been impressive, especially since they are without Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in their last series and they are 7-0 at home in the playoffs.

The Cavs won two of three games facing the Celtics in the regular season including beating them in Boston the last time they met.

LeBron James has been lights out in the last few playoff games and while Kevin Love struggled in the first few games in the post-season he has really helped out King James in the last few games. Love has averaged 25 ppg in his last three games and in two of those games he had double-doubles.

Boston’s defense ranks 3rd in the league in points allowed and they will be tested by a confident Cavs team that has been firing on all cylinders in the last few games.

The Celtics have a young and balanced team and in closing out their series in their last game beating the 76ers 104-102 every starter went for at least 13 points.

The Celtics will need a good series from the backcourt tandem of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 41 points in the Game 5 win over Philly. Rozier has to play better than he has as of late, as in the last two games he has totaled 28 points, but on 8/29 shooting.

SF Jayson Tatum has been playing great in the playoffs and he has gone for at least 20 points in seven straight games. He is an athletic small forward and while his offense is needed his D may be more important likely matching up with King James.

In the lone win for Boston over Cleveland this season the Celtics held James to 19 points and Kevin Love to only two points. They held the Cavs to a paltry FG% of 34.8% and they need to play solid defense like that to win Game 1 as well as the series.

Cleveland key betting trends

• Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games
• Cleveland has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games
• Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games against Boston

Boston key betting trends

• Boston is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games
• Boston has an Over record of 12-4 in their last 16 games

Cleveland vs. Boston prediction

The Cavs have covered in five of their last six games facing the Celtics in Boston. That trend will continue, as James and company will take this Game 1 and hand the Celtics their first home playoff loss – bet on them at Bovada.lv.