NBA: Cavs and Celtics kick off huge opening-night double header

Meanwhile Houston travel to the Oracle Arena

Three of last season’s four Conference Finalists are involved on the Opening Night of the 2017-18 NBA Season.

There’s a rerun of last year’s Eastern Final, as Cleveland Cavaliers host a Boston Celtics side they beat 4-1 in May’s series. That begins tonight’s action, before Houston Rockets make the trip to face last year’s champions – Golden State Warriors.

Here’s what the Coral News Team are expecting from these two huge clashes.

Boston @ Cleveland – 01:00 AM [UK Time] Wednesday 18 October

The visiting Celtics will be looking to avenge last season’s comprehensive Conference Final defeat to Cleveland. However, they’ll need to buck the trend. The Cavs have won five of the last seven meetings, scoring 120+ points in three of them.

However, recent history is far from the only thing that gives this fixture an edge. These sides were involved in the offseason’s biggest trade.

That deal saw Boston pick up Kyrie Irving, while the Cavs were recompensed by a trio of Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and giant Croatian center Ante Zizic.

This season opener could provide some vital clues as to which side were on the better side of the deal. However, with the hosts having dominated this fixture in recent times, CLE Cavaliers – 3.5 looks the best bet ahead of tip-off at 10/11.

Houston @ Golden State – 03:00 [UK Time] Wednesday 18 October

Like a great many sides in recent times, Mike D’Antoni’s Rockets have had very little joy against the Warriors. The Oakland outfit have triumphed in 11 of the past 12 meetings between these sides, including each of the last three.