Cleveland, OH
Ohio State basketball team loses out on in-state transfer guard
The Ohio State basketball team is still trying to finalize its roster for next season. They still have a gaping hole at backup center. With both Felix Okpara and Zed Key gone, the Buckeyes don’t have any experience at that position. Aaron Bradshaw is the new starter and he didn’t play more than 15 minutes a game last year.
Besides that hole, they are still looking for some guys who can score. Ra’Heim Moss, a guard from Toledo, was someone they were looking to fill that role. He averaged 15.5 points per game a year ago for the Rockets. Plus, he was in the state of Ohio. Things looked good for them to land him.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes didn’t land him. Moss had the Ohio State basketball program in his final four schools but ultimately decided to head to Oregon. It’s another player that the Buckeyes have struck out on recently in the transfer portal.
Ohio State didn’t need Moss, but he would have helped. Guard is clearly not the biggest gap on this roster that they need to fill. They have plenty of capable guards, including a freshman who is coming in. They need more big guys, either on the wing or a center.
There’s not much time left for the Buckeyes to find that guy. The portal closes tomorrow so there’s a lot of urgency to get someone. They had two guys visiting over the weekend that they are looking to land that would help fill that void. The Buckeyes have to get someone.
Diebler has had a pretty good offseason in his first time as a head coach. There are some guys he wanted to land that he couldn’t, but that’s life as a Big Ten head coach. He’s going to learn how to work the portal better as time goes on.
On Wednesday evening, the Cleveland Cavaliers had their season come to an end when they lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series (113-98).
The Cavs dealt with a injuries, as Jarrett Allen did not appear in the series, Donovan Mitchell missed the final two games and Caris LeVert did not play in Game 5.
After the disappointing end to the series, Dan Gilbert sent out a post on X that had over 3,000 likes in less than two hours.
Gilbert wrote: “Cleveland, it’s heartbreaking, but I am proud of the fight and the progress of this team. Thanks to all @cavs fans and supporters who were there all season for us. The future is bright in The Land! #LetEmKnow”
Cleveland, it’s heartbreaking, but I am proud of the fight and the progress of this team. Thanks to all @cavs fans and supporters who were there all season for us. The future is bright in The Land! #LetEmKnow
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) May 16, 2024
The Cavs were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record.
They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round (in seven games).
The Cavs had missed the NBA playoffs from 2019-22, but were able to end the drought in 2023 (they lost to the New York Knicks in the first round).
Currently, the roster is good enough to be seen as a contender in the Eastern Confernece.
However, they will likely have to make some changes over the offseason.
After the game, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the latest on their coaching situation.
Wojnarowski: “ESPN Sources: After an Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Celtics with short-handed lineup, Cavaliers plan to take time to evaluate coach JB Bickerstaff’s future, but organization remains fond of him and marketplace is sparse of proven candidates. There will be a lot of conversations on different ways to proceed for a franchise that reached Eastern semis for first time since 2018.”
ESPN Sources: After an Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Celtics with short-handed lineup, Cavaliers plan to take time to evaluate coach JB Bickerstaff’s future, but organization remains fond of him and marketplace is sparse of proven candidates. There will be a lot of…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2024
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is considered day-to-day with his calf injury, head coach JB Bickerstaff said after Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics.
The update comes after Mitchell missed Game 4 due to a left calf strain, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported. The Celtics hold a 3-1 series lead ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5.
Defeating the top-seeded Celtics even at full strength was a daunting task for the Cavaliers, so the latest injury is quite the blow.
Mitchell has been brilliant throughout the playoffs and has carried the team’s offense for extended stretches. He poured in 50 points in Game 6 of Cleveland’s first-round series against the Orlando Magic and then helped close out the No. 5 seed with 39 points, nine rebounds and five assists in Game 7.
It has been more of the same against the Celtics.
The Louisville product averaged 31.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from deep through the first three games against the Celtics and is a primary reason Boston isn’t going for a sweep in Monday’s contest.
Frankly, this all but ends the Cavaliers’ realistic chances at advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Even if Mitchell returns for Game 5, Cleveland likely isn’t going to win three straight with two of the contests on the road against this loaded Celtics team.
Boston didn’t lose three games in a row a single time all season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics are set to play in a high-stakes battle in a crucial Eastern Conference semifinals Game 5 at the TD Garden on Wednesday. Boston currently holds a 3-1 lead in the series, and will be looking to close out the series.
Jayson Tatum, the star of the show, led Boston in Game 4 with a remarkable 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in the 109-102 victory. Not to be outdone, Jaylen Brown also made a significant contribution with 27 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Darius Garland scored 30 points for Cleveland in Game 4, while Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley both contributed 19 points despite the loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Additionally, the Cavaliers may be without Donovan Mitchell again, who is considered day-to-day with a calf injury.
This pivotal game will determine whether the Celtics secure a spot in the Eastern Conference finals by winning Game 5 or Cleveland could extend the series with a win.
Updated NBA playoff bracket: Results, schedule, and full NBA postseason picture
East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 5 predictions
Fox Sports: Celtics 119 – Cavaliers 105
Staff writes: “Boston has a 5-2 record in the last seven head-to-head games against Cleveland. The Cavaliers have an advantage against the spread (4-2-1) when squaring off against the Celtics.”
Bleacher Nation: Celtics 119 – Cavaliers 105
Staff writes: “The Celtics have scored at a much higher clip in home games than on the road in the 2023-24 season (123.1 at home versus 118.0 on the road), though they have surrendered fewer points in home games than in road games (107.9 opponent points per home game versus 110.5 on the road).”
ESPN: Celtics have a 67% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Boston Celtics have a 67.2% chance to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5.
East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 5 betting lines, odds
The Boston Celtics are favored to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5, according to the BetMGM odds.
- Spread: Boston (-15.5)
- Moneyline: Boston (-1600); Cleveland (+900)
- Total Over/Under: 205.5
Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2024.
East Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics schedule
| Games | Location | Date/Time | TV/Streaming |
| Game 1 | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. ET | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 2 | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Game 3 | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Saturday, May 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Game 4 | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. ET | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 5 | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. ET | TNT, Fubo |
| Game 6(If necessary) | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH | Friday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Game 7(If necessary) | TD Garden, Boston, MA | Sunday, May 19 at TBD | TBD |
How to watch: Catch select NBA Playoff games on ESPN+
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