Celtics vs. Cavaliers prediction, odds, start time: 2025 NBA picks, October 29 best bets from advanced model

The top two seeds from last year's Eastern Conference will meet on Wednesday's NBA schedule as the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Boston Celtics. Cleveland (3-1) had the East's best record at 64-18 a year ago before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs. Boston (1-3) was the No. 2 seed and was also eliminated in the second round of the postseason. These teams have alternated wins and losses over their last six regular-season meetings, with the Cavs prevailing in the most recent matchup..

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Celtics odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 234.5. Before locking in any Celtics vs. Cavaliers picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past seven-plus seasons. The model enters Week 2 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a sizzling 161-120 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $4,000. It also went 24-11 (69%) on top-rated NBA against-the-spread picks last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated Celtics vs. Cavaliers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Cavaliers vs. Celtics:

Why the Cavaliers can cover

Cleveland is coming off its most impressive game of the young season, a 21-point road victory over a Pistons team that made the playoffs last year. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 35 points on just 18 field goal attempts as all five starters were in double digits. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, while fellow big man, Jarrett Allen, had 20 points.

The Cavs had the league's No. 1 offensive rating a year ago, while this season the team ranks in the top seven on the other end of the court in both defensive rating and points allowed per game. The Cavaliers are jumping in passing lanes, ranking third in steals, and they've forced opponents into the second-most turnovers per game. Losing possessions to turnovers could be an issue for Boston as it struggles to score in the possessions it does have, as the Celtics rank 25th in 3-point percentage despite ranking second in 3-point attempts. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Celtics can cover

Last season Boston was second in points allowed per game, and even with various departures and injuries, the team still ranks second in points allowed this year. The team is holding opponents to an NBA-low of 39.9% from the field, and it is also in the top five in terms of 3-point defense. In their first win of the year on Monday versus New Orleans, the Celtics kept the Pelicans to just 90 points after the team had scored at least 116 in each of its first two games.

Boston had a well-balanced attack in that win over New Orleans, with the starters combining for 65 points and the reserves chipping in with 57 points. Anfernee Simons had 25 points off the bench, while Jaylen Brown (probable, hamstring) is embracing the role of being the team's go-to player. He's putting up 26 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. Even though Boston remains without Jayson Tatum (Achilles), the Cavs are even more banged-up without Darius Garland (toe), Max Strus (foot) and Sam Merrill (hip). See which team to back at SportsLine. 

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How to make Cavaliers vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine's model has simulated Celtics vs. Cavaliers and is leaning Under the total, projecting 229 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 70% of the time. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's NBA picks. 

So who wins Cavs vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits almost 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Cavs spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.