basketball | Wednesday, March 1, 2023 9:36 AM (Revised at: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 9:58 AM)

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder Tips: 2.30 Wager For Wednesday Night

Sam Cox

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder: Wednesday, March 1st

There’s a battle of two Eastern Conference powers on Wednesday night as the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. A thrilling game is expected with Cleveland running out winners in overtime in their two previous regular season duels.

These are the top two teams in the entire NBA in net rating. The Cavs have a clean injury report. Boston is only missing season-long absentee Danilo Gallinari with Jaylen Brown in line to return after missing Monday’s loss to the New York Knicks for personal reasons.

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Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

Thu, Mar 02. 00:40 (UK time)

Brown is a player to focus in on for this game. His involvement has been disrupted in 2023, but the All-Star wing has largely been spectacular, scoring 56 points in two games since the All-Star break, following on from an impressive scoring streak prior to suffering a facial injury last month. Before scoring four points in 18 minutes against the Sixers, Brown averaged 27.5 points per game over his previous six.

Jayson Tatum might be Boston’s MVP candidate, but Brown has a knack for stepping up in these matchups. Defences can key in one, though rarely both, of Boston’s star wings. Brown is often the beneficiary. He scored 30 and 32 in the two games with Cleveland earlier this season, and has passed this alternate points line in 43 of his 50 games.

Both teams went 7-3 in February, both possess elite defences with top-end scoring talent. Like their two prior 2022-23 matchups, this should be a tight game deep into the fourth quarter. Yes, the Cavs have a poor record as a road underdog, but they have very rarely been blown out this season.

A close game means big minutes for the starters. Big minutes, even against great defence, means good box score numbers.

Darius Garland doesn’t always stuff the stat sheet like his backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell, but he is the man at the controls when games slow down. He will not be intimidated by Boston’s array of perimeter defensive options.

Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Best Bet

Garland has gone over this alternate line in 18 of his last 19. He dropped 29 and 12 in his lone game against Boston.

The spread is set at 5.5 for this game. If anything, this is a little harsh on the Cavs, who were second to the surging Milwaukee Bucks in net rating last month. It is tempting to back Cleveland to cover. Instead, though, we are going to give the road team a few extra points to act as insurance against an overtime swing or late-game variation.

Taking the Cavs +9.5 gets this wager up to 2.30. There’s great value at that price.