Cavaliers pull off historic upset with 24-point blowout win over Celtics

The Cavaliers made a bit of history after storming into the TD Garden and upsetting the Celtics on Thursday night. 

Cleveland, which came into the game as a 12.5-point underdog on the road, blew Boston out, winning by 24 points in a game that was all but over before the fourth quarter began. 

It was the biggest NBA Playoff victory by a double-digit underdog since 1991, according to ESPN. 

The upset was also the largest in the NBA semifinals or later since roles were reversed in 2017 when the Cavaliers fell to the Celtics as 15.5-point favorites in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, per Action Network’s Evan Abrams. 

Boston remains a heavy favorite despite the series shifting to Cleveland in a 1-1 tie. 

The Celtics are -1200 to advance to the East Finals over the Cavs, who are sitting at +680 (FanDuel Sportsbook). 

That’s a big step down from where the Celtics opened the series, though. 

After beating the Heat in five games in the first round, also losing Game 2, the Celtics were as high as -3000 at FanDuel to eliminate the Cavs before Game 1. 

Boston is currently an 8-point favorite ahead of Game 3 on Saturday night. 

They also remain a massive favorite to not only make the NBA Finals but win the title. 

Betting on the NBA?

FanDuel has the Celtics at -340 to win the conference and -110 to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy, both of which are easily the best odds in the league.

On the other side of the bracket, the Timberwolves have usurped the Nuggets as the favorites to come out of the West after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead. 

Minnesota now has the second-best odds to win the title (+270) as well.