Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - prediction, team news, form guide
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference will do battle at TD Garden on Saturday as the Boston Celtics entertain the challenge of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - prediction, team news, form guide
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference will do battle at TD Garden on Saturday as the Boston Celtics entertain the challenge of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Off the back of eight consecutive wins, the away side have been flying either side of the All-Star break, while the hosts are 6-2 during that time despite suffering a disappointing defeat in their most recent outing.
Match preview
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On another occasion, the Boston Celtics will be well clear atop the East given their record after 59 games, but that has not been the case this season thanks to the emergence of the Cavaliers.
Nonetheless, Joe Mazzulla's men can undoubtedly be proud of their showing so far in their quest to become the first team to win consecutive championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
A 117-97 defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday snapped the Celtics' six-game winning run and saw them lose away from home for the first time in just over a month since they were beaten 117-96 by the Los Angeles Lakers on January 24.
Now six wins adrift of top spot, the Celtics are becoming increasingly resigned to relinquishing their number-one spot in the conference from the last campaign, but with 23 matches left, there is just about enough room for jeopardy.
A victory on Saturday would be a perfect starting point for the hosts if they are to retain any chance of leapfrogging their visitors, who have lost eight of the most recent 11 editions of this fixture across regular-season and playoff action.
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After making one of the best-ever starts in NBA history with a perfect record after the opening 15 matches, the Cleveland Cavaliers laid down an early title marker and have not looked back ever since.
Putting on arguably their most impressive display of the season, Kenny Atkinson's men blitzed the Orlando Magic in their last outing courtesy of an emphatic 122-82 triumph when the sides faced off at Amway Center on Wednesday.
Despite missing the services of Darius Garland, the Cavaliers raced to a whopping 16-point advantage at the end of the first quarter and never took their foot off the gas, going on to extend their lead by a further 24.
Since losing three matches on the bounce in late January, the Cavaliers have responded with 12 wins from their subsequent 13 matches, with 11 of the 12 victories coming via a double-digit margin, highlighting how dominant the Ohio-based side have been of late.
Having ended February in scintillating form, Saturday's visitors will now set out to kick off March on a winning note in the second of a brief two-game road trip before welcoming the Portland Trail Blazers to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
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Team News
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Jaylen Brown did not play any part in the Celtics' most recent involvement against the Pistons due to a thigh issue, and the 28-year-old is a doubt for Saturday's game.
Luke Kornet was also absent from the aforementioned game due to personal reasons but could return for the home side here after missing the last two matches.
Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday shook off minor injury concerns to feature last time out, and both men are expected to start once again this weekend.
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland is battling with a hip problem at the moment, making his availability for Saturday's game currently hanging in the balance.
Should Garland be deemed unfit to participate, Isaac Okoro will likely retain his place in the starting lineup with Max Strus joining Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt.
Boston Celtics possible starting five:
White, Holiday; Tatum, Horford; Porzingis
Cleveland Cavaliers starting five:
Mitchell, Strus; Okoro, Mobley; Allen
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