Cavaliers-Celtics Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Kevin Garnett dropped 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Tuesday night.

Boston failed to cover as 10-point home favorites as the teams played under the 184-point total set by oddsmakers.

Rajon Rondo went for 15 points and six assists for the Celtics, who got 13 points off the bench from Sam Cassell in the win.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas led Cleveland with 22 points and 12 boards, while LeBron James had 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the Cavaliers.

Team records:
Cleveland: 45-37 SU, 37-45 ATS
Boston: 66-16 SU, 52-28-2 ATS

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Cleveland are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 13 games
Cleveland is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games at home
Boston is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home

Next up:
Cleveland home to Boston, Saturday, May 10
Boston at Cleveland, Saturday, May 10

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