posted May 14, 2008 at 17:23 EST in NBA Free Picks

The Boston Celtics, (72-21 SU, 57-34-2 ATS, 41-51-1 O/U) seemingly can’t win a road contest this postseason, but are back at home tonight to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, (51-41 SU, 44-48 ATS, 41-49-2 O/U) in an important Game 5 they say they can not afford to lose after playing so poorly on the road throughout the postseason.

"There is some frustration," Celtics center P.J. Brown said. "But up to this point, it hasn't gotten under our skin."

Despite posting a spectacular 31-10 road record during the regular season, the Celtics are 0-6 on the road in the playoffs and have failed to close out at least three road contests they seemingly had under control until their sudden penchant for fourth quarter collapses became an issue.

However, the Celtics are also saying that it doesn’t matter where they win this series as long as they win it.

"The key is winning the series. Whether it's at home or on the road, you just try to win it," Pierce said. "It's a three-game series, with two of them at home."

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said his team simply needs to play better on the road.

"We earned that right to have home-court advantage," he said. "I don't think it has anything to do with why we haven't won a road game. We haven't played well on the road, and we have to do better."

The Cavaliers say they are confident after falling to the Celtics 76-72 in Game 1 in the BetUS Sportsbook despite being on the road, in a game that was even closer than the finals score indicated.

"It just shows how strong you are as a team to be able to go into a hostile environment and stick together and come out with a win," Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson said, adding that coming to Boston a second time will help.

Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown, careful not to throw any bulletin board material at the Celtics, touched on the importance of being able to win on the road in the playoffs.

"You can win all your home games and get a championship that way. I don't think that has ever been done," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "You've got to get some road wins to be a champion, at least that's the history of the game.

"I tell our guys, if you expect to win in the playoffs, you've got to know how to defend and you've got to know how to win on the road."

The Celtics are just 1-3 against the spread in this series against Cleveland and have failed to cover the spread in each of the last two games.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.

The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.

The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Celtics are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Wednesday games.

The Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 games following a S.U. win.

The Under is 5-0 in Cavaliers last 5 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.

The Under is 7-0 in Celtics last 7 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.

The Under is 11-2 in Celtics last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Boston.

The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Analysis: While the Celtics are undefeated at TD BankNorth Garden throughout the 2008 playoffs and will win this match up tonight. I just don’t see a nine-point victory by the Celtics tonight. The fact to the matter is that both of these teams posses defenses that generally tend to make for close, low-scoring contests that aren’t routs for either team. I like the Celtics for the win but I say take the Cavs to cover the 8.5-point spread on the road, despite playing in front of what will assuredly be a rabid Boston Celtics home crowd.

NBA Free Picks: Cavaliers +8½ points/Over 176½ Total Points

08:05 PM EST NBA Odds

Cleveland Cavaliers +8½ -110

Boston Celtics -8½ -110

Over 176½ -110

Under 176½ -110

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