The Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers square off for the second time in less than a week this Thursday. The Cavs play host in this matchup this time around, so can the Celtics return the favor and score a win in the rematch? Or, will the Cavs double down on their mastery of Boston? 

Catch this game live on Thursday, November 3, at 7:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Boston Celtics (4-2/2-1 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Marcus Smart
  • SG: Derrick White
  • SF: Jaylen Brown
  • PF: Jayson Tatum
  • C: Al Horford

The Celtics will try to solve Cleveland again, as they seek payback for their 132-123 home loss to the Cavs last Saturday. Turnovers really hurt Boston in that game, essentially tipping the scale in favor of Cleveland. The Celtics had 19 turnovers which were converted into 24 points by Cleveland to just 13 by Boston off Cavs miscues. 

Nevertheless, the Celtics can take heart from the fact that they still shot over 50 percent from the field against Cleveland’s defense which is second in the NBA today with just 105.7 points allowed per contest. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 64 points in the loss to Cleveland and came up with 47 together in an easy 112-94 home win over the Washington Wizards last Monday.

The Under is 5-1 in the Celtics’ last five games away from Beantown.

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Home: Cleveland Cavaliers (5-1/3-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Darius Garland (questionable)
  • SG: Donovan Mitchell
  • SF: Caris LeVert
  • PF: Evan Mobley
  • C: Jarrett Allen

Donovan Mitchell might be even better than what the Cavs thought when they traded for him back in the offseason. So far this season, Mitchell is averaging 32.2 points per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and a ridiculous 45.5 percent from behind the arc. Of course, the Celtics know all about how hot Mitchell and the Cavs are this season, having seen the former Louisville Cardinals star torch them for 41 points in 15/25 shooting (5/9 3FGM/A). 

But another Cav has also been living in the heads of the Celtics since, and that’s Caris LeVert who also had 41 points in that game, including Cleveland’s final 11 points. LeVert, however, immediately became a victim of regression when he unloaded a grand total of 1 point while shooting 0/9 from the field in the Cavs’ 121-108 win Monday at home over the New York Knicks. Then again, the Cavs have so many weapons to survive that awful game by LeVert. 

The Cavs, who are No. 1 in the league with 42.7 3FG%, are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games as the home team.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: Celtics (-2) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (220.5) hits the Under.