LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 1.5-point favorites heading into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston this Sunday, according to OddsShark. The over/under point total for Game 1 is sitting at 204.
According to OddsShark, the Cavs are heavy favorites at -290 to advance to the NBA Finals, while the Celtics are listed at +245, meaning a $100 bet on Boston to win the Eastern Conference Finals would result in a $245 return. Unless LeBron James just decides not to play, gamblers across the country can expect the Celtics to be dogs in every game in the series.
So far this post-season, LeBron is averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9 assists per game. The Cavs are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season, and LeBron is on track for his eighth straight trip. According to ESPN, he has faced the Celtics six times in the playoffs, winning the past four series and six straight postseason road games in Boston.
The Celtics were in this position against the Cavs last season when they were eliminated in five games, but their roster looks much, much different this time around. Boston returns only four players from last season's roster - Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart - and they're without All-Star acquisitions Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled to tipoff at 3:30pm ET this Sunday, 5/13, at the TD Garden in Boston. That game will air on ABC.
Check out the full TV schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals below.
Game 1 in Boston: Sunday, May 13, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2 in Boston: Tuesday, May 15, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 3 in Cleveland: Saturday, May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4 in Cleveland: Monday, May 21, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 5* in Boston: Wednesday, May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 6* in Cleveland: Friday, May 25, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 7* in Boston: Sunday, May 27, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)