The Cleveland Cavaliers are a good team with good players that is not quite built to keep up with offensive powerhouses like the Boston Celtics even when healthy. Several injuries to key players on the Cavs roster has them even further behind the proverbial eight ball than they otherwise would be.
So Game 1 ending in a 120-95 blowout win for the Celtics probably should not surprise too much given the Celtics have been a top five ball club most of the 2023-24 regular season. Cleveland could steal a game or even two in this series, but we have grave doubts about this round going more than six games.
We’ll take Boston once again, with Cavs home games more likely to be a venue where Cleveland can get a W or two.