Prediction, Pick & Odds for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics game on Friday, February 28th

• The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Boston Celtics on Friday night in a battle of the Eastern Conference’s top two teams
• The Celtics are 2.5-point home favorites and -145 on the moneyline
• See below for Cavs vs Celtics predictions, latest odds and Over/Under pick for Feb. 28

The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (48-10) head to TD Garden for a heavyweight clash with the second-seeded Boston Celtics (42-17) on Friday at 7:30 pm ET. It’s an Eastern Conference showdown that could be a preview of the ECF, with both teams jockeying for the top spot.

Cleveland rides into Beantown on an eight-game heater, fresh off a 40-point thrashing of the Magic on Tuesday. Boston looks to bounce back on its home floor after getting surprised by the Pistons 117-97 on Wednesday. The C’s are slight favorites in a game that feels like a toss-up.

Here’s a look at our Cavaliers vs Celtics prediction for Friday night.

Cavaliers vs Celtics Odds

The Celtics enter as slim 2.5-point home chalk, with their -145 moneyline price implying a 59.2% win probability. Boston holds a 2-1 season series edge, but these teams have been evenly matched, with the last two meetings decided by a combined 11 points.

Injuries could play a key role, as the Cavs’ All-Star guard Darius Garland (hip) is questionable while the C’s may be without Jaylen Brown (thigh). But both teams still have ample star power, with Donovan Mitchell leading Cleveland and Jayson Tatum pacing Boston.

Oddsmakers are expecting a shootout, setting the total at a robust 233.5 points. That makes sense given the Cavs and Celtics rank 2nd and 6th in scoring respectively. The over is 38-20 in Cleveland games this season.

Cavaliers vs Celtics Prediction

This has all the makings of an instant classic between two titans in peak form. The Cavs have been a juggernaut all year, while the Celtics have championship pedigree. In the end, I predict a 116-114 Cleveland win behind a 35-point eruption from Donovan Mitchell, who has torched Boston for 33.7 PPG this season.

The Cavs’ twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should feast on the glass against an undersized Boston frontcourt, generating extra possessions and putbacks. Darius Garland’s potential absence would sting, but Caris LeVert can shoulder more playmaking to keep the offense humming.

Boston certainly has the goods to defend home court. Jayson Tatum is an MVP frontrunner who can take over. Derrick White and Al Horford provide critical support. They’ll keep it tight with their shooting and versatile defense. But sans Jaylen Brown, they may lack the firepower to match a Cavs squad firing on all cylinders.

Cavaliers vs Celtics Picks

• Best Bet: Cavaliers +2.5 (-105) at BetMGM
• Over 233.5 (-115) at BetMGM
• Donovan Mitchell Over 27.5 Points (-110)

Based on my prediction of a narrow Cavs victory in a high-scoring affair, I’m backing Cleveland +2.5 as the best bet. Getting points with the team sporting the NBA’s best record is great value, especially since they’ve covered in 5 of 6. The over also makes sense given these teams’ explosive offenses.

For a player prop, I love Donovan Mitchell over 27.5 points. He’s gone nuclear against Boston this year, averaging 33.7 PPG on scorching 50/43/81 shooting splits. With Garland potentially out, Spida will be ultra-aggressive in hunting his own shot. Lay the -110 for a 30-piece.

Ultimately, this game feels like a coin flip that should come down to the final possessions. I’ll gladly take the points with the team boasting the Association’s best record in that scenario. Ride the red-hot Cavs, the over, and Mitchell in what should be a wildly entertaining slugfest.

CLE vs BOS Injury Report

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face off against the Boston Celtics on Friday, February 28th in what is sure to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but they are both fighting for a spot in the playoffs and will be looking to secure a win in this game.

The Cavaliers are currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-41. They have struggled to find consistency this season, but they have shown flashes of potential with wins over top teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. Collin Sexton has been a bright spot for the Cavaliers, averaging 24.1 points per game and leading the team in scoring.

On the other hand, the Celtics are currently in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference with a record of 37-16. They have been dealing with injuries to key players like Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown, but they have still managed to stay competitive thanks to the play of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is averaging 25.3 points per game and has established himself as one of the top young players in the league.

In terms of predictions for this game, the Celtics are favored to win with odds of -6.5. The Cavaliers will have their work cut out for them, especially if they are unable to contain Tatum and Brown. However, if Sexton can continue his strong play and get some help from his teammates, the Cavaliers could pull off an upset.

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a competitive matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Celtics will be looking to secure a win to stay in the hunt for a top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Cavaliers will be looking to play spoiler and build some momentum for the rest of the season. It should be an exciting game to watch for basketball fans.