Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2: Prediction, Betting Odds For 2017 East Finals

Any hope the Boston Celtics might have had to make the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals a competitive series died Wednesday night. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers continued to do what they’ve done all postseason, proving that nothing is going to stop them from reaching the NBA Finals for a third straight year.

The Cavs dominated Game 1 at TD Garden from start to finish, and any Game 2 prediction that doesn’t include a victory for Cleveland doesn’t make much sense. With James and Cleveland seemingly getting better with each playoff game, they are 5.5-road favorites, via OddsShark, and the over/under is 220.

The Celtics were just four-point underdogs in the series opener, but they looked completely outmatched by the defending champions. Losing 117-104, the game was basically over at halftime as Boston trailed by double-digits for the entirety of the final three quarters.

It was reminiscent of the last regular-season matchup between the Celtics and Cavs, in which Boston had no answer for James. It’s what the four-time MVP has been doing in every playoff game, and the Celtics don’t have anyone to slow him down.

James scored 38 points on 24 shots, adding nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and just two turnovers. Whether it was Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown or Kelly Olynyk trying to stop James, Boston had no chance on the defensive end all night long.

“Obviously, he's a great scorer, and when he gets going downhill, he just has to see bodies,” Crowder told reporters after Game 1. “I have to do a better job of being up to touch on him, being on the ball, making it tough for him. But he has to see bodies behind me. We have to do a better job of showing help early, then getting out and spreading out to the shooters so they won't be a factor in the game.”

As great as James was Wednesday night, it was almost expected, and the same will be the case in Game 2 Friday night. James is averaging 34.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game this postseason, shooting 56 percent from the field.

In an effort to stop James, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens knows that the team might have to take some risks.

“Doubling is really scary against these guys, but it may be necessary,” Stevens said. “The conundrum is, do you double and risk giving up those easy step-in 3s and the rebounds? Or do you try to stay at home and do the best you can and make them make a tough shot? It's all easier said than done, but we've got to figure out our best avenue quickly.”

No matter what Boston tries, it’s likely to end up failing. If they double-team James, that will just lead to more open threes for players like Kyle Korver and Kevin Love. Love made six of his nine three-point attempts in Game 1, and he’s shooting 45.7 percent from behind the arc in the playoffs.

Boston will probably hit more open shots in Game 2 than they did Wednesday night, and Isaiah Thomas should do better than just 17 points on 19 shots. But until the Cavs actually lose a game, it isn’t wise to pick against them.

Prediction: Cleveland over Boston, 114-104