Cleveland Cavaliers Game Tonight: Cavs vs Celtics Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV channel for Nov. 2

Last Friday the Cleveland Cavaliers prevailed in overtime over the Boston Celtics, and tonight they are back at it again, this time in Cleveland. The two teams both played on Sunday and have had a few days off since, so both should be full of energy and ready to go.

Each team is headlined by early MVP candidates, with Donovan Mitchell balling out for the Cavs and the Celtics led by Jayson Tatum. Friday’s game is the swing factor in their records, with the Cavs on a four-game winning streak at 4-1 and the Celtics sitting at 3-2.

Who is expected to play tonight, what is the betting line, and what’s our prediction for what happens? Let’s take a closer look.

Betting odds, spread, over/under

Five days after taking down the Celtics in Boston, the Cleveland Cavaliers are underdogs hosting them back at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. According to Fanduel Sportsbook, the Celtics are -1.5 favorites tonight. The point total is set to 220.5; for reference, the two teams combined for 255 points in overtime on Friday (228 in regulation).

Cavs injury report

Darius Garland (questionable, eye); Dylan Windler (questionable, ankle); Raul Neto (doubtful, ankle); Ricky Rubio (out indefinitely, knee)

The key injury right now is Garland’s eye, and he was able to practice yesterday and is nearing a return. He is currently listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

Update: Darius Garland is going to play tonight, per Shams:

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup tonight

This is a projection until we get word on whether or not Garland can play tonight. If he can, the Cavs should start Dean Wade but will likely keep Caris LeVert in the starting lineup instead. If not, look for both LeVert and Wade to continue to start at the 2 and the 3. The Celtics will almost certainly continue their smaller starting lineup in the absence of Robert Williams III.

Cavs: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Celtics: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Prediction

To beat the Boston Celtics on Friday, the Cavs needed 41 points from both Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert in an absolutely wild, record-breaking performance. It’s not bold to say that performance will not be repeated tonight. It also doesn’t have to be, with the bench capable of providing more than the 15 points they scored.

The swing factor for Cleveland is Darius Garland’s availability, and whether he will be shaking off any rust. Mitchell is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, and a healthy Garland playing off of him will only help this offense reach even higher heights.

If Garland is out, the Cavs will feel the strain with Raul Neto also unlikely to play and Ricky Rubio sidelined for another couple of months. Mitchell has been a capable point guard, but behind him the Cavs will likely hand the ball to Caris LeVert on bench units.

The Celtics will continue to lean into the advantage they have on the wing with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but to beat the Cavs they will need to shoot well from outside. They are certainly capable of that playing a 5-out group to start games.

Do the Cavs force the Celtics to play big, as they did on Friday night? If so, they’ve already won; the Celtics gave 26 minutes to Luke Kornet and 12 to Blake Griffin. If the Celtics stay small, can the Cavs dominate the glass and punish Boston for their increased offense?

The Celtics have the experience and the star wing, but the Cavs have an MVP candidate of their own and are playing at home. They’ll take the 1.5 and run with it.

Prediction: Cavaliers 116, Celtics 112

Bet: CLEVELAND (+1.5), OVER

What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game on?

The Cavaliers will be front and center tonight, hosting the Boston Celtics on national television. The game will tip off at 7:30pm ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics live stream

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Cleveland Cavaliers’ next games and schedule

Next 3 games – dates, opponents

Fri, Nov 4 – @ Detroit Pistons

Sun, Nov 6 – @ Los Angeles Lakers

Mon, Nov 7 – @ LA Clippers

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change