NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 betting preview and odds: Celtics at Cavaliers
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (-7, 201.5)
Celtics lead series 3-2.
The Boston Celtics are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday. The Celtics possess a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals but are just 1-6 on the road this postseason, including two setbacks in Cleveland.
Cavaliers forward LeBron James could be playing in his final game in Cleveland before his expected dive into free agency but he is currently focused on earning one more trip to Boston. "We're looking forward to having an opportunity to force a Game 7," James told reporters after his squad's 96-83 loss in Wednesday's Game 5. "It's up to us to see if we can come back here for one more." Boston continues to persevere behind its young roster but it will have to step up if it is to close the series on the Cavaliers' home floor. "Now we have a big challenge to go on the road," Boston veteran big man Al Horford told reporters. "We're going to have to play a great game come Friday because they're tough at home. At least in our series, they've had their way."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
SERIES PRICE:
LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 7-point home favorites with their backs against the wall for Game 6 and as of Thursday night that pointspread has not moved. The total hit betting boards at 201.5 and has not moved off the opening number.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The home team is now a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS in this playoff series. It is not a surprise as the Celtics are now it 10-0 SU at home this postseason. Boston is a young, well-coached team that feeds off the energy of their home crowd, but has struggled to perform on the road, with their only playoff road win coming in overtime." - Steve Merril.
INJURY REPORT:
Celtics - PG Shane Larkin (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), PG Kyrie Irving (Out For Season, Knee), PF Daniel Theis (Out For Season, Knee), SF Gordon Hayward (Out For Season, Ankle).
Cavaliers - No injuries to report.
MATCHUP CHART:
ABOUT THE CELTICS (66-33 SU, 62-35-2 ATS, 52-46-1 O/U): Small forward Jayson Tatum scored 24 points in Game 5 for his ninth 20-point outing of the postseason. The 20-year-old is putting together one of the best scoring playoff runs by a rookie in NBA history with 312 points and he trails only Elgin Baylor (331), Alvan Adams (341) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (352). "It's just been a lot of fun," Tatum told reporters. "I've just been enjoying it, the level of play, the atmosphere. The playoffs bring the best out of people and out of players, and hopefully we keep it going. ... We're one win away from going to the Finals. "
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (60-38 SU, 38-59-1 ATS, 45-51-2 O/U): James had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while going 11-of-22 shooting in Game 5 and he downplayed interrogating questions about his level of fatigue. "I had my moments, but I think everybody at this point is tired, worn down whatever the case may be," James told reporters. "I was still trying to make plays, put our team in position to win." James topped 40 points twice in this series and six times in the postseason and has at times single-handedly kept his team afloat.
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Cavaliers are 17-35-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Celtics' last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers' last 6 games following a straight up loss.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
CONSENSUS: Early consensus numbers show 63 percent of spread bets are coming in on the underdog Celtics while 68 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.