CLEVELAND, Ohio – Lugging a two-game losing streak, the Cleveland Cavaliers host the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics today – Sunday, Dec. 1 – at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The NBA matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
This game will be broadcast live on NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and NBC Sports Boston with tipoff at 6 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV is also offering a free trial and $30 off your first month. SlingTV is offering half off your first month.
The Cavs (17-3) are coming off two puzzling defensive performances against the Atlanta Hawks. The second encounter eliminated them from the Emirates NBA Cup in East Group C.
Cleveland enters the first-place battle with a half-game lead over Boston for the best record in the NBA. Their lead in the the Central Division has shrunk to 6.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Their rise to the top of the Association standings has been guided by a prolific offense. The Cavs lead the league in points per game with 122.4, including an NBA-best 124.5 points per game at home. They own the top shooting percentage (51.1%) and 3-point percentage (40.2%) in the NBA. Cleveland’s offensive rating (121.2) ranks third in the league.
Hints of defensive lapses earlier in November were proven to be a major concern as the Cavs have dropped three of their last five overall.
The NBA’s biggest surprise team is led by superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 24.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field.
His running mate, point guard Darius Garland, has also surged with 20.7 points, 6.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 49.5% from the field. Garland had an abysmal performance back at TD Garden, going 3 of 21 from the field as Cleveland’s desperate comeback fell short, 120-117.
The Cavs’ interior has been a staple of their stellar play.
Power forward Evan Mobley is averaging 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 55.8% from the field. Double-double machine Jarrett Allen has 14.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 70.1% from the field, which is the second-best percentage in the league. Allen posted a double-double against Boston in the prior meeting and has hit that mark in nine of his last 11 home games.
The Cavs’ bench has blossomed, fueling their depth.
Six players are scoring in double figures, including two bench staples in Ty Jerome and Caris LeVert. Jerome is averaging 12.1 points, 3.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 57.8% from field, which is the 12th-best percentage in the NBA. LeVert is garnering 11.5 points, 4.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 52.8% from the field.
Even deeper down the roster, Georges Niang is nabbing 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 42.8% from the field.
Cleveland remains without Max Strus and Dean Wade for the rematch.
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The Celtics (16-3) brought the Cavs back down to earth from their historic 15-0 start two weeks ago. A win here would not only give them possession of first place in the league, but also reinforce the mental advantage over Cleveland once again.
The NBA Champions are carrying over their elite play from last year. They rank first in offensive rating (121.2) and second in points per game, tallying 121.2. Boston is also averaging an NBA-best 123.6 points per game on the road.
Boston buries their opposition from behind the arc, averaging a league-leading 19.2 makes per game and an NBA-best 50.7 attempts per game.
The Celtics have won seven straight games and have a five-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division standings.
The championship pedigree begins with the superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is averaging 28.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field. Brown posts 24.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field.
Derrick White and Jrue Holiday bolster the guards. White has 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field. Holiday averages 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.9% from the field.
Veteran center Al Horford is averaging 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field.
Point guard Payton Pritchard continues to impress off the bench. He has tallied 15.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field. Pritchard went 7 of 11 from deep enroute to 29 points in his previous game against the Chicago Bulls. His 3-point ability is a gamechanger for the already stacked franchise.
The Celtics’ firepower comes from their long-range attack, which could spell trouble for Cleveland. Boston unloaded 22 3-pointers at a 53.7% clip in their first meeting. The Cavs allowed a combined 34 3-pointers in the two-game conundrum against Atlanta.
Boston has notched at least 20 3-pointers in six of its last seven games. The Celtics are undefeated (8-0) when hitting 20 or more 3-pointers.
Just as Cleveland was hampered in their first meeting, Boston could be short-handed with White, Horford and Holiday all questionable. Center Kristaps Porzingis, who recently made his season debut, is also questionable.
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Cavs vs. Celtics Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates (G-League two-way), Max Strus (right ankle sprain), JT Thor (G-League two-way), Luke Travers (G-League two-way) and Dean Wade (left ankle sprain) are all out.
Boston Celtics: JD Davison (G-League two-way) and Anton Watson (G-league two-way) are both out.
Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis tendon), Jrue Holiday (right adductor strain), Al Horford (left big toe sprain) and Derrick White (right foot sprain) are all questionable.
What are the latest odds for Cavs vs. Celtics?
Moneyline: CLE (-102), BOS: (-118)
Spread: CLE: (+1), BOS: (-1)
Over/Under: 232.5
Here’s more information on how to watch Cavs vs. Celtics on TV or streaming services:
What: NBA basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
When: Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. Eastern
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Cleveland, Ohio
Channel: NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, NBC Sports Boston
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $30 off first month) DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (half off first month)
Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios