Cavaliers vs. Celtics Prediction and Odds: Tatum vs. Mitchell, An East Finals Preview

The NBA’s Friday night schedule features a must-watch Eastern Conference matchup between Donovan Mitchell’s first-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and Jayson Tatum’s second-seeded Boston Celtics! For new users at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet $5 and receive $150 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins!

For the best NBA game previews, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2024-25 NBA season! New sports bettors supporting their hometown Cleveland Cavaliers Can take advantage of the top Ohio sportsbook promos and bonuses before their matchup against the Boston Celtics tips off!

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to complete their short two-game road trip when Donovan Mitchell leads his squad against their top contender in the Eastern Conference on Friday night. All-Star Jayson Tatum leads the shorthanded Boston Celtics on Friday night as they try to get back on the winning track after a blowout loss in their previous match.

Let’s check out the bets for the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game and look at our NBA Player Props and Best Bets article for Friday, February 28!

Cavaliers vs. Celtics Betting Odds for Friday, February 28

The latest odds for the Cavaliers vs. Celtics NBA game can be found in the table below. Find your favorites and place your bets at some of the best NBA sportsbooks, today!

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Pick

• My Pick: Spread - Boston Celtics -2.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics are the top two teams in the East, and this will likely be a preview of what’s to come in the Eastern Conference Finals. With a 6.5-game lead on the Celtics in the East standings, it’s difficult to see the Cavaliers allowing their rivals to narrow the gap, despite Boston having the edge over them in the season series.

Both teams are in excellent form, but the Celtics are up for revenge after a shorthanded blowout loss in their last game. The Cavaliers’ will test their defense against the Celtics’ incredible shooting threat. Still, we predict the Celtics will be the winner–as they welcome key contributors back into the lineup on Friday night.

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Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won eight straight games and nine of their last ten. They went undefeated over an eight-game stretch that saw them defeat the Pistons, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Grizzlies–but their last loss came on February 4 against the Boston Celtics.

Known for their defensive quality and versatility, the Cleveland Cavaliers allowed just 103.0 points per game over their last five contests, limiting opponents to 43.1% from the field and 30.9% from three while forcing 15.0 turnovers per game. They’re no slouch on the offensive end either, averaging 127.0 points per game over that stretch while shooting 50.6% from the field and 38.5% from three on 16.0 made per game while outrebounding their opponents 51.0 to 38.0.

Through 58 regular season games, the Cleveland Cavaliers have posted a 38-19-1 ATS Record, the best mark in the NBA. They have a 66.7% cover percentage, a +11.7 margin of victory, and a +4.0 ATS +/- this season.

Keep an eye out on Donovan Mitchell, the All-Star guard averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 threes per game on 46.0% shooting and 40.5% from deep in his last five games. He’s been incredible against the Celtics this season, averaging 33.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists through three games.

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Boston Celtics Preview

Second in the East, the Boston Celtics have won eight of their last ten games. They dropped their previous match, a 20-point loss to the Detroit Pistons, so expect them to get back on track against the top-seeded Cavaliers on Friday night.

The Boston Celtics are known for their deadly three-point shooting. They average 116.9 points per game on 46.1% from the field while hitting a league-leading 17.8 threes per contest on 36.9% efficiency. They still boast a top defense, though, allowing just 108.1 points per game (3rd of 30) on 34.5% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range (3rd of 30).

Through 59 regular season games, the Boston Celtics have a 25-33-1 ATS Record, 25th in the NBA. They have a 43.1% cover percentage, a +8.8 margin of victory, and a -0.8 ATS +/- this season.

The player to watch for the Celtics is Jayson Tatum, who has shown his versatility by averaging 23.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over Boston’s recent 4-1 run. Averaging 29.3 points in three games against the Cavaliers this season, count on Tatum to lead the Celtics on offense again.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Injury Report

• Boston Celtics - Jaylen Brown - Questionable (Thigh) - Brown did not play in Boston’s February 26 game against the Pistons.

• Boston Celtics - Jrue Holiday - Questionable (Finger) - Holiday will be a game-time decision on Friday night.

• Boston Celtics - Luke Kornet - Questionable (Personal) - Kornet did not play in Boston’s February 26 game against the Pistons.

How to Watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

• Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

• Date: 7:30 PM, Friday, February 28, 2025

• TV:  ESPN