NBA picks: Celtics vs. Cavs betting predictions, plays against the spread

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Don’t miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Cavs, which tips off tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike & Scal have the call of the game at 7 p.m. You can also stream the game through the MyTeams App.

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Don't look now, but the Boston Celtics may be onto something here.

The Celtics survived the New York Knicks on a Jayson Tatum game-winner Friday night to move to 4-1, tied for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

With matchups against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets looming, they very well could be atop the East by week's end.

But that's assuming all goes to plan. Jaylen Brown still is sidelined with an illness, Enes Kanter's health is in question and Boston still has an issue on the boards.

Can the C's keep rolling Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena? Here are our betting picks for Celtics-Cavs, as well as two bonus NBA locks against the spread.

(All odds provided by WestGate Superbook.)

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET

Moneyline: No need to get cute here. The Celtics will be without Brown again but are well-rested and riding a four-game winning streak. The Cavs have lost two straight and just allowed 131 points to the Dallas Mavericks at home. Take the Celtics (-260) with confidence.

Point Spread: Boston spoiled my C's sweep last Friday by playing down to the New York Knicks' level. I don't see that happening again Tuesday night, especially since they're only six-point road favorites against an Eastern Conference doormat. Even if Kanter doesn't suit up, I like the Celtics (-6). 

Point Total: The 216 point total isn't lofty, but I'm rolling with the UNDER, which has hit in four of the Celtics' last five games. Cleveland ranks 22nd in the NBA in points per game, and I can't see the Brown-less Celtics scoring more than around 110 points.

Darren's record picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total: 8-4

NBA Locks of the Night

Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (-4.5): This is a classic come-down-to-earth game for a Heat team that surprisingly rolled the Rockets by 29 on Sunday. Denver has lost two of its last three but is a safe bet to bounce back at home and give Jimmy Butler and Co. a cold dose of reality.

San Antonio Spurs (-5) at Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are reeling from three straight losses and just lost John Collins to a 25-game suspension. If even Trae Young (questionable with an ankle injury) can play, the momentum is with the Spurs to secure a road victory.

Darren's record picking NBA locks against the spread: 5-3

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