Celtics vs Cavaliers game preview

The Boston Celtics, leading the Eastern Conference with a formidable 64-18 record, have shown a blend of resilience and tactical brilliance as they prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in what could be a pivotal match in this tied series. A significant factor in the Celtics' success has been the stellar performance of Jayson Tatum, who has been an offensive powerhouse averaging 26.9 points and pulling down 8.1 rebounds per game. Additionally, the contribution of Derrick White, who has seamlessly taken over the point guard duties with an impressive average of 5.2 assists per game, cannot be overstated. The Celtics’ strategy, as seen so far, appears to revolve around maximizing their offensive efficiency and exploiting the defensive lacunae of their opponents. With the home court advantage in this upcoming game, Boston will likely leverage their depth and the versatility of their squad to maintain control of the game tempo and secure a crucial victory.

On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have posted a solid season with a 48-34 record, face a challenging scenario with the loss of key center Jarrett Allen due to a ribs bruise. Allen's absence is a significant blow to the Cavaliers, as he not only leads the team in rebounds with an average of 10.5 per game but also provides substantial defensive heft. The Cavs will now heavily rely on Donovan Mitchell, their scoring leader with an average of 26.6 points per game, and Darius Garland, whose playmaking skills will be crucial in orchestrating the Cavs' offense against a tight Celtics defense. Adjustments in the Cavaliers’ defensive strategy and their ability to compete on the boards without Allen will be pivotal. The Cavs need to find a way to mitigate this loss through collective team effort and strategic acumen if they want to steal a win in Boston and swing the momentum of the series in their favor.

Cleveland Cavaliers injuries

• Craig Porter (G): Out
• Ty Jerome (SG): Out
• Jarrett Allen (C): Out
• Dean Wade (PF): Out

Boston Celtics injuries

• Kristaps Porzingis (C): Out

How to Watch the Celtics vs Cavaliers

The Celtics vs. Cavaliers game will be televised on ABC and is scheduled for Sat 8:30 PM.

Celtics vs Cavaliers predictions

The Eastern Conference Semifinals are heating up, folks! As we head into Game 3, the series is tied at 1-1, and the action is about to get intense. But before we dive into the X's and O's, let's take a peek at the betting odds. The Celtics are favored to take Game 3, sitting at -7.5 on the spread. That's right, Vegas is expecting a comfortable Boston win. But I'm not so sure. The Cavs have shown some serious grit in this series, and I think they might just cover.

Now, onto the main event. Jayson Tatum is going to go off, scoring 27 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. He's been on a tear this postseason, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown will chip in with 22 points and 6 boards. On the other side, Donovan Mitchell is going to try to keep pace, dropping 25 points and dishing out 5 assists. But the real wild card is Jarrett Allen, who's expected to return from injury. If he can give the Cavs 15 points and 12 rebounds, they might just have a shot. In the end, though, I think the Celtics' depth and defense will prevail. Boston takes Game 3, 115-108. Get ready for a thriller, folks!