Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Game 3 predictions and odds for Eastern Conference Semifinals

The Eastern Conference Semifinals are heating up as the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are deadlocked at 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling Game 3 in Cleveland on Saturday.

The Celtics may have picked up the first win with a commanding 120-95 victory in Game 1 at TD Garden, but the Cavaliers showed their mettle in Game 2, delivering a resounding 118-94 loss to the top-seeded Celtics on their home court.

Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell — who scored 29 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out eight assists — for the Cavaliers, who have evened the second-round series in a display of sheer determination.

NBA Playoffs: Twitter reacts to Cavs winning Game 2 vs. Celtics: 'Donovan Mitchell looks so much like Dwyane Wade'

East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 3 predictions

Bleacher Nation: Celtics 116 – Cavaliers 108

Staff writes: "Jayson Tatum puts up 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, with 4.9 assists. Derrick White contributes 15.2 points per game while adding 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Celtics. Tatum makes more threes per game than any other (active) member of the Celtics, knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a clip of 3.1 per contest. Jaylen Brown averages 1.2 steals per game, while White swats 1.2 shots per contest."

Sportsbook wire: Celtics 116 – Cavaliers 108

Staff writes: "Cleveland has won 11 of the 29 games it was the underdog on the moneyline this season (37.9%). When it has played as a moneyline underdog with odds of +264 or longer, Cleveland has gone 1-2 (33.3%). Cleveland has a 27.5% chance to win this matchup based on the moneyline’s implied probability."

ESPN: Cleveland has a 50.5% chance to win

According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a 50.5% chance of beating the Boston Celtics in Game 3.

East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 3 betting lines, odds

The Boston Celtics are favored to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3, according to the BetMGM odds.

• Spread: Boston (-8.5)

• Moneyline: Boston (-350); Cleveland (+280)

• Total Over/Under: 211.5

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East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics schedule

How to watch: Catch select NBA Playoff games on ESPN+

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Predictions and odds for Game 3