The Boston Celtics host the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers in a massive measuring-stick game.
The pregame narrative: Cleveland is off to a torrid 15-0 start but I’ll side with the reigning champions at home. Prop bets on Derrick White and Evan Mobley round out this +330 SGP.
Check out my Cavaliers vs. Celtics same-game parlay predictions for Nov. 19.
Cavaliers vs. Celtics predictions
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Parlay: Celtics moneyline + White over 22.5 PRA + Mobley over 16.5 points (+330)
Celtics moneyline (-186): If there was ever a game to fade the undefeated Cavs, it’s tonight.
Boston is 50-8 at TD Garden since the start of last season (regular season and playoffs included) and has won five of its last six against Cleveland on its famed parquet floors.
The Celtics are 11-3 through 14 games and those losses came by a combined 10 points. Two of them were at home but I’m still happy to roll with a team that has an 82.6% hit rate on its home court over the last two seasons.
One area I believe Boston can expose Cleveland is behind the 3-point line.
The Cavs are allowing opponents to shoot 37.8% from deep which is the third-highest rate in basketball. Boston attempts the most 3-pointers per game (51.1) and converts at the 11th-best rate (37.0%).
At the end of the day, Joe Mazzula has a roster of all-stars and Olympians at his disposal and I think they can extinguish the red-hot Cavs.
SGP legs
White over 22.5 PRA (-275): White might not be the biggest name on Boston’s roster but he’s extremely important.
The point guard is averaging 18.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists a night (27.7 PRA) and is a lethal 3-point shooter.
He’s attempting 10.3 threes a night in November and is cashing in at a stellar 37.6% rate. White gets plenty of run and is active on the glass and in the passing game.
- White is averaging 34.9 minutes per night
- He’s cleared this mark in 8-of-9 games in November
- Averaged 22.4 PRA against Cavaliers in playoffs on 39.0% 3-point shooting
Mobley over 16.5 points (-109): Boston has some flaws defensively this year which I think Mobley can exploit.
The Celtics allow opponents to shoot 43.0% in the midrange and 67.8% at the rim. That ranks 23rd and 20th in the NBA, respectively, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Mobley takes 28% of his shots from the midrange and 59% of hits shots at the rim, placing himself in the 70th and 68th percentile among all NBA players.
He’s averaging a career-best 18.1 PPG and has gone over this mark in three of his last five.
Picks made at 9:03 a.m. on 11/19/24.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.