Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction: Cleveland's defense is not what it used to be

Prediction for the NBA Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers match which will take place on December 13th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Celtics hosted New York at TD Garden after a 112:122 loss to Indiana in the preseason tournament. Kristaps Porzingis returned to the lineup from injury, adding to Boston's offensive firepower. Joe Mazzulla's team scored over 130 points en route to a convincing 133:123 victory. Porzingis scored 21 points, Jayson Tatum added 25, and Derek White led all Celtics scorers with 30.

The Cavaliers have the most challenging game. The day before the game against Boston, J.B. Bickerstaff's team faced the Magic in Orlando, another top-3 team in the East. Cleveland couldn't fight the resistance of a well-organized opponent, scoring less than 100 points and losing 94:104. Darius Garland had one of his best games of the season - 36 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points but made only 2 of 10 three-pointers. Veteran Tristan Thompson had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Boston's offense had returned to the level it was at the beginning of the season when Joe Mazzulla's team was tearing opponents apart. Cleveland's defense is not what it used to be - last season, the Cavs were the best in the league at playing in their halfcourt, but now they are barely in the top ten.