Cavaliers vs. Celtics Game 1 prediction, odds, pick for Tue. 5/7: Fade the Cavs' O

Cavaliers vs. Celtics Odds

Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs would've had an under-fest against the Orlando Magic if the books didn't adjust. They did, but still, we got four unders in seven contests, and the highest over/under line pre-game was in the mid 200s. For Game 7, the total was 194.5. The Celtics also went under in three of five against the short-handed Miami Heat; they have largely their opponents to thank, but they weren't lights out either and showcased their own offensive limitations.

The Cavs won't be able to expose that if Jarrett Allen continues to sit with a rib injury. He missed the last three games of the first round.

The Cavs went 4-0 at home straight-up against the Magic and were favored in every contest, covering the spread in all but one of the four outings — Game 5, a one-point victory.

They never covered on the road, losing by 68 total points across three road games. The one time they lost by less than 23 on the road was a seven-point defeat in Game 6 despite getting 50 points from Donovan Mitchell.

Boston Celtics

The only game where Boston hasn't covered is their Game 2 loss to the Heat. Otherwise, they were double-digit favorites and covered every time, winning by no fewer than 14 points. At home, the Celtics outscored Miami by 44 points, and that includes that 10-point Game 2 loss.

As mentioned, the Celtics hit some unders. It's honestly hard to base much off that series given they were just up against Bam Adebayo and dem boys.

Tyler Herro is Tyler Herro. Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are good young prospects, but very young. Haywood Highsmith is a talented switchable defender who could hit an open 3, but he had to create. Caleb Martin was up and down, as had been the case all year, etc.

Who hit their overs consistently? Derrick White. Points and 3s.

Cavaliers vs. Celtics

Betting Pick & Prediction

The Cavs broke 100 just once last year in five playoff games. Against the Magic — an elite but young defense — they did it twice, barely, in Games 5 and 7.

Even without Kristaps Porziņģis, I like Cleveland under 98.5 points. This is a bet against what their offense became late in Round 1, which is "Save Us Donovan Mitchell," and the Celtics having the guys to throw at him, like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, along with length in the two Jay's on the wings. Al Horford is going to be a problem for Evan Mobley if Allen sits — maybe either way. And, needless to say, I think Boston wins this game and the series.

Pick: Cavs Team Total Under 98.5