Cavs To Miss Garland, LeVert, Markkanen, Mobley For Blockbuster Celtics Matchup

Cavaliers’ Depth Will Be Tested as Injuries Mount

Cleveland will be without four key players when they play host to the Boston Celtics Tuesday night. Darius Garland (thumb), Caris LeVert (ankle), Lauri Markkanen (illness), and Evan Mobley (ankle) have all been ruled out.

The absences of Garland and LeVert leave the Cavs very thin in the backcourt. Ricky Rubio will start at point guard, with Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro starting in the backcourt.

Markkanen's absence leaves a big void in the frontcourt. Mobley missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his status for Tuesday is up in the air. If he can't play, Jarrett Allen will start at center, with Wade and Cedi Osman starting at forward.

Celtics Face a Cavs Team Desperate For A Win

The Celtics enter Tuesday's game with a 17-15 record, good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs are 19-13, fourth in the East.

Boston has won three of its last four games, while Cleveland has lost three of its last four.

The Celtics will be looking to improve their road record, which is 8-7.

Matchup To Watch

The matchup to watch in Tuesday's game will be in the paint. The Celtics have one of the best frontcourts in the league, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Cavs will need to find a way to limit Tatum and Brown's production if they want to win. Allen and Osman will have their hands full trying to contain the Celtics' two All-Stars.

Prediction

The Celtics are a slight favorite in Tuesday's game, but the Cavs have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the league.

Expect a close game, with the Celtics pulling away in the fourth quarter.