Celtics Look to Even Series With Another Road Win at Cleveland

Tuesday’s Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals best of seven series will tip off from Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics. Cleveland leads the series 2-1.

The current line has Cleveland favored by 14.5 points with the over/under point total sitting on 216.

Boston made a remarkable comeback to win Game 3 of the series Sunday night and will look to even the series at 2-2 with another road win on Tuesday. It appeared Boston would not put up any fight after losing Isaiah Thomas to injury, but won in the final seconds 111-108.

Thomas will not play anymore in the playoffs due to a hip injury so Avery Bradley, his backcourt mate has to take on a bigger role. His 3-point basket with just 0.1 second remaining in the game capped a 21-point comeback by Boston.

With Thomas out of the lineup in Game 3, must thought Boston would be an easy pushover since the Cavaliers had beaten them in Game 2 by 44 points. The win by Boston snapped Cleveland’s 13-game winning streak in the postseason.

Cavaliers star LeBron James scored just 11 points in the Game 3 loss to Boston. It was his fourth lowest scoring output in his 210 career postseason games.

In Games 1 and 2 Boston’s Marcus Smart averaged just 5 points per game but he came up big with Thomas out injured. Smart scored 27 points making 7 of his 10 shots from 3-point territory. Smart also had 7 assists in the game.

James had scored 30 points or more in 8 straight games prior to his 11 in Game 3 for the Cavaliers. However, during the second half, James missed 8 of his 9 shots and was not happy following the game. On Monday, James avoided the press.

James point total in Game 3 was his lowest in the 107 career playoff games he has played at home.

Boston center Al Horford has made just 15 of his 38 shots in this series.

Cleveland forward Kevin Love has averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds during the series.

Boston is 6-2 against the spread in its past 8 games on the road.

Cleveland is 7-1-1 ATS in its past 9 games played.

Prediction: Cleveland will return to form after a poor second half in Game 3. Look for LeBron to take charge. Lean towards Cavs going up 3-1.