Cleveland should oblige on the handicap in Boston

NBA Eastern Conference final
BT Sport 1, 1.30am Thursday

Boston have homecourt advantage in game one of the Eastern Conference finals – but it’s the only edge they have over a Cavaliers outfit who are 2-11 to reach a third straight NBA finals.

Cleveland have had ten days off since completing a 4-0 sweep of Toronto, a second successive sweep after whitewash­ing Indiana. However, Boston needed six games to see off Chicago and seven getting by Washington, who they finally despatched at The Garden on Monday.

Doubts over the health of LeBron James have dominated Cleveland’s build-up to the playoffs but he’s clearly feeling fine and relatively underworked.

Bookmakers fancy Boston to stay close, making the Cavs mere 3.5-point favourites.

Cleveland have won all eight games in the playoffs by an average of 9.6 points and while Boston’s home record is good and their bench boasts bags of impact, it’s hard to see them covering the spread.

Recommendation
Cleveland -3.5
2pts 10-11 BoyleSports