CAVALIERS 123, CELTICS 116

Betting Results:
Head to Head: Cavaliers, odds 1.961
Line: Cavaliers (+1.5), odds 1.909
Total Points: Over (233), odds 1.901

Pre-game Prediction
Cavaliers, 38.9%
Celtics, 61.1%

BOSTON (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to help the Cleveland Cavaliers rally from 22 points down and stun the Boston Celtics 123-116 on Friday night in the final regular-season meeting of the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.

Mitchell scores 41, Cavaliers overcome 22-point deficit to beat the Celtics 123-116

By KYLE HIGHTOWER Associated Press The Associated Press BOSTON

BOSTON (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to help the Cleveland Cavaliers rally from 22 points down and stun the Boston Celtics 123-116 on Friday night in the final regular-season meeting of the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.

Darius Garland added 20 points and seven assists. Evan Mobley finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 27th double-double to give Cleveland a split in the four-game series with the playoffs just over two months away.

Jayson Tatum finished with 46 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. Jaylen Brown added 37 points, marking the first time Boston’s top stars both posted 30-point games this season.

The Cavaliers had all of their players available, while the Celtics played without starters Jrue Holiday (finger) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).

It did nothing to stymie the Celtics early as they sprinted out to a 25-3 lead. But after a cold start the Cavs responded, going on a 41-22 run to get back into the game.

Takeaways

Cavaliers: The victory, even without the Celtics at full strength, is a huge mental boost for a Cavs team that was eliminated 4-1 by the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs last season.

Celtics: Boston is now just 18-11 at home.

Key moment

Trailing 114-110, the Celtics got back-to-back stops, each followed by buckets by Brown to tie the game. Mitchell scored on a floater to put the Cavaliers back in front. Then, following a miss by Brown on Boston’s next possession, Mitchell hit a driving layup and was fouled. He completed the three-point play to put the Cavs in front 119-114 with 1:57 remaining.

Key stat

Tatum had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the opening 24 minutes, the first player ever to reach those totals in a half during the play-by-play era (1997-98).

This is how we previewed this game....

Big game for the top two in the East as our first betting tip back after a couple of days off.

The Cavaliers are back as the game's best team this season sitting first in the East on 48-10-83%, with a 21-6 road record, 9-1 L10 on a W8 streak. Boston are second. 42-17-71%, with a 18-10 home court record, 8-2 L10, but an L1 streak after a loss away to the streaking Pistons.

Celtics at odds of 1.74

When the Celtics are switched on, the Celtics are the best team in the country, their issue is consistency, a bunch of wins, followed by a surprise loss, then a bunch of wins...rinse and repeat. They've had their loss now (against Detroit) so back to winning ways is the expectation.

Returns $34.80 for a $20 bet

Donovan Mitchell (CLE) Under 36.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds at odds of 1.90

On the road, when playing top defenses, DM's missed his PRA total and averaged 33, with the Celtics expected to win, Don's going to struggle.

Returns $19.00 for a $10 bet

Jaylen Brown (BOS) Under 25.5 Points + Assists at odds of 1.96

Missed in 7 of his last 10 when playing against top teams, averaging 23.4.

Returns $19.60 for a $10 bet

Dreadful tipping last night as all three lost, the Celtics had the lead from start to 38:18 on the game clock, then capitulated to late Cavs pressure in Q4. Cleveland outscored Boston by 10 points in the final period, and won the game by 7 points. That's it for us and Boston, not backing them for a positive result for the rest of the season. If they make the Championship Finals, rest assured we'll be all-in on whoever they are playing. A highly competent team, some incredible players, with the collective backbone of a jellyfish.

For what its worth, along with Cleveland proving that they actually are the best in the game this season, Donovan Mitchell popped up with 41 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists to obliterate his 36.5 target. And even on the losing team, Jaylen Brown managed 37 points and 2 assists to smash his target of 25.5.