NBA : Will Cavaliers Be Rusty in Game 1?

The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t played since eliminating the Toronto Raptors on May 7. They’ll get their first taste of action in 10 days when they visit the Boston Celtics this Wednesday, tipping off at 8:30 PM ET on TNT. Will the Cavaliers be too rusty to compete at a high level? Or will this extended vacation help them?

It didn’t seem to bother them in the first round. The Cavaliers had a full week off after sweeping the Indiana Pacers, and they played even better against the Raptors, taking that series 4-0 SU and 3-0-1 ATS. The time off is incredibly valuable for James. He’s been to the NBA Finals in each of the past six seasons, and his Cavaliers are widely expected to make it seven in a row.

Boston might have betting value here despite going the full seven games against the Washington Wizards. That series wrapped up Monday night at the Garden with the Celtics winning 115-105 as 5.5-point favourites. It was the C’s who finished first in the Eastern Conference this year, although the Cavs had the better point differential at plus-3.2, a half-point better than Boston.

NBA Odds: Celtics Host Cavs in Eastern Finals Opener

The Boston Celtics needed seven games to get past the Washington Wizards, but they got the job done Monday night, winning 115-105 as 5.5-point home favourites. Next up: the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who visit the Garden Wednesday night at 8:30 PM ET on TNT.

The Cavs have been idle since eliminating the Toronto Raptors on May 7. They’re 8-0 SU and 5-2-1 ATS after two rounds, and all that time off should help keep LeBron James and his teammates fresh for Game 1. Cleveland swept the C’s from the first round of the 2015 NBA playoffs at 3-1 ATS.