Cavaliers vs Celtics Game 4 Prediction: NBA Playoff Series

Cavs face must-win Game 4 at home after Game 3 loss. Mitchell needs more help to beat Celtics star power.

The Cleveland Cavaliers experienced a harsh reality check in Game 3 after their impressive victory in Game 2 against the Celtics. With the series now at 2-1 in favor of Boston, the Cavaliers find themselves in a crucial must-win situation at home in Game 4 before heading back to Boston for the fifth game.

Our seasoned writers, Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, who have closely followed the Cavs all season, have a combined record of 9-1 in predicting the winner of Cavs playoff games. Their only misstep was Game 2 in Boston.

Lewis emphasizes the need for Donovan Mitchell to receive more support from his teammates. Mitchell has been exceptional, averaging over 35 points per game since Game 5 of the Magic series. However, the Cavaliers' supporting cast has struggled to keep up with the Celtics' stars. The absence of Jarrett Allen in the paint is becoming increasingly apparent, as his partnership with Mobley has been a defensive force to reckon with. While Mobley has been stellar on his own, the Cavs' defense is most effective with both big men on the court. With a weakened defense and an inconsistent offense, facing the team with the best record in the NBA is a daunting task. Lewis predicts a Celtics victory with a score of 110-102.

Ulrich stresses that the Cavaliers need to play at their absolute best to stand a chance against the Celtics. While they were able to do so in Game 2, Game 3 highlighted the challenges they face in maintaining that level of performance. Donovan Mitchell may be a standout player, but the Celtics boast a trio of stars in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White who can carry the scoring load. The Cavaliers have little margin for error in this matchup, especially after their disappointing start to Game 3 at home. Ulrich predicts a Celtics win with a score of 112-101.

In conclusion, the Cavaliers face an uphill battle in Game 4 as they strive to even the series against a formidable Celtics team. With the odds stacked against them, Cleveland must deliver a near-perfect performance to keep their playoff hopes alive.