NBA Best Bets for Wednesday: Celtics vs. Cavaliers odds, picks, predictions

The NBA has been on fire since the All-Star break ended last week, and we could be in for another instant classic tonight in Boston when the powerhouse Celtics host the Cavaliers at TD Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Let's break down the betting odds, trends, best bets, and top player prop for this Eastern Conference showdown.

With over 75 percent of the regular season in the books, every game matters in the mad dash to the finish line. The Celtics (44-18), who had owned the best record in the NBA for the majority of the 2022-23 campaign, recently got leap-frogged by the surging Bucks (44-17). Meanwhile, the Cavs (39-25) have won eight of their past 11 games and look to beat Boston for the third time this season after thrilling overtime wins in October and November. 

The Celtics have won nine of their past 12 games, and their 24-7 home record ranks sixth in the NBA. They are also 18-13 against the spread at home, while Cleveland has gone 13-18 in away games and 3-9 as away underdogs. As many Green Teamers remember, Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert each dropped 41 points en route to a 132-123 OT victory the last time Boston hosted the Cavs. Cleveland is the only team that Boston has not defeated at least once this season. 

The Celtics will be happy to have Jaylen Brown back after the All-Star guard missed Monday's game against the Knicks due to personal reasons. JB had previously missed five February contests due to a facial fracture sustained when he collided with Jayson Tatum. Boston went 4-1 across that stretch but lost 109-94 to a confident New York team on Monday.

Speaking of beatdowns, Cleveland broke its three-game losing streak and rebounded from a 136-119 stomping from Atlanta last Friday with a commanding 118-93 victory over the Raptors. However, the Cavs haven't defeated a team with a winning record since their 118-107 win over the Pelicans in New Orleans on Feb. 10. A win over a mostly healthy Celtics squad tonight will remind everyone in the Association that Cleveland deserves to remain among the short list of NBA Finals contenders. 

Can the Celtics finally figure out how to beat Donovan Mitchell and the twin tower duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley? Or will the Cavaliers continue their reign of terror over Boston and move to 3-0 against the Eastern Conference powerhouse? Below, we'll break down this prime-time contest while giving our prediction and best bets for what should be another unforgettable marquee NBA game.

Celtics vs. Cavaliers odds, picks, predictions

Best Bet: Celtics -200 and OVER 218.5

Best player prop bet for Celtics vs. Cavaliers: Al Horford OVER 8.5 points (+105)

Horford might be one of the more boring Celtics to bet on in the player prop market, but plus odds with a very doable scoring total easily make him one of the best bets this evening. The veteran big man always steps up in the home stretch of the season and playoffs, and we expect no less tonight in a big rivalry game against the only squad Boston has not bested this season. With Robert Williams back in the middle, Horford will have more freedom to roam away from the interior, and better spacing to find openings from the three-point line when Tatum, Brown, and the guards drive and kick. Big Al has logged 11-plus points in four of Boston's past five games, and he's dropped 13 and 15 in the past two. Bet on the big man and root for some hard-earned points.