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Celtics vs. Cavaliers prediction: Why Cleveland is favored to win Sunday's NBA matchup [3/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions for NBA Sunday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Boston Celtics in NBA action at Rocket Arena on Sunday, starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury updates, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Cavaliers as the most likely winner of the Celtics vs. Cavaliers game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Cavaliers lineup will feature players like Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley, while the Celtics will look to Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
This article offers a closer look at Sunday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Celtics vs. Cavs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Sunday's NBA matchup between the Celtics and Cavaliers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Cavaliers a 56% chance of beating the Celtics. Our predicted final score has the Cavaliers winning 112-110.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and the Celtics and Cavaliers each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the 223.5-point over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Celtics | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +1.5 (-110) | -1.5 (+100) |
| Moneyline | +100 | -118 |
| Total | o223.5 (-110) | u223.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Cavaliers -1.5 | +100 |
| Moneyline | Cavaliers | -118 |
| Total | Under 223.5 | -105 |
According to our best NBA bets for Sunday, the top play to make on this game is Cavaliers to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers player props
NBA player props are a great way to wager on the Boston vs. Cleveland game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Rocket Arena.
Jaylen Brown is expected to lead the Celtics with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while Donovan Mitchell is projected to have 24 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists for the Cavaliers.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Celtics prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Celtics are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | 27 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 48 |
| Jayson Tatum | 19 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 40 |
| Derrick White | 16 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 37 |
| P. Pritchard | 16 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 33 |
| Neemias Queta | 11 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 29 |
Cavaliers prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Cavaliers:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Mitchell | 24 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 43 |
| James Harden | 20 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 42 |
| Evan Mobley | 15 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 36 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
| Sam Merrill | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
Celtics vs. Cavs game-day updates and essential details
Sunday's action between the Cavaliers and Celtics at Rocket Arena is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM ET.
- Who: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM ET/10:00AM PT
- Venue: Rocket Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Cavaliers, with a 56% win probability, will likely beat the Celtics on Sunday, with Jaylen Brown projected for a game-high 48 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Celtics vs. Cavaliers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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