After blowing the early sports betting lead against the Cavaliers in Game One, a game in which they led by 11 points in the first half, Boston made sure it would not make the same mistake in Game Two. The Celtics cruised to an 18-point win to earn a well-deserved road split heading back to Massachusetts for the next two.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics
Friday May 7, 2010 – 7:00 PM ET
NBA Basketball Betting Odds: Cleveland -120
The Celtics parlayed a four-point lead at halftime in to an 18-point win, looking dominant at times. Rajon Rondo was absolutely dominant at the point, directing the Boston offense while scoring 13 points and contributing 19 assists. Six Celtics players reached double figures, led by Ray Allen’s 22 points while shooting better than 50-percent from the field. That number was reached by the rest of the team as well, as Boston’s combined field goal percentage was 51.3-percent, including a 47.3-percent mark from beyond the arc. Kendrick Perkins led all Celtics with a plus-22 mark while on the floor, limiting the effect of Cavaliers’ center Shaquille O’Neal, as the four-time champion finished with just nine points and four assists.
Despite a sore elbow, Lebron James was his usual self, dropping 24 points, but he didn’t get much help from his supporting cast. After an outstanding Game One performance that helped the Cavaliers take Game One, guard Delonte West hit just one field goal in Game Two, finishing with just four points. As a team Cleveland shot just 40-percent. The Cavaliers were out rebounded 30 to 17, and were consistently outplayed down low. The starting backcourt tandem of Anthony Parker and Mo Williams shot a combined 3-for-16, and unless that changes when the series shifts to Boston, the Cavaliers will have an uphill climb to get back to the Eastern conference finals.
One area that could be the biggest concern for the Cavaliers will be the form of reserve center Anderson Varajeo, who left Game Two with back spasms. The Celtics may attack Cleveland down low with purpose in an effort to exploit the limitations of a thin bench of big men behind O’Neal and Varajeo, so bet Celtics
NBA Playoff Betting Pick: Boston + 110
Betting Lines: Over/ Under 190
Each of the opening two games in this series have at least hit the line for the over/under heading in to Game Three, and with the Celtics heading back home, these teams could hit an even higher number when the series shifts to Boston. In the two regular season games played between these teams at the TD BankNorth Gardens, the totals for the game were 230 and 196. While the Cavaliers have proven that they can score big no matter where they are playing, Boston plays a much better offensive game in front of its home crowd. Lebron James understands that his team can’t afford to fall behind two games heading back home, and after two slow starts to open the series, should come out flying in Game Three.
Pick: Over -190
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