BOSTON – The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers face the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Emirates NBA Cup today – Tuesday, Nov. 19 – at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The NBA matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.

This game will be broadcast live on TNT and NBC Sports Boston with tipoff at 7 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV (available in Boston markets only) is also offering a free trial and $20 off your first month. SlingTV is offering half off your first month.

This matchup is overflowing with storylines as the Cavs (15-0) are off to the best start in the NBA since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.

It’s tied for the second-best start in NBA history, joining the Houston Rockets (1993-94) and Washington Capitols (1948-49).

The encounter is also the first meeting since Boston delivered a gentleman’s sweep to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals last year.

Finally, it has NBA Cup implications as the Cavs are 1-0 in East Group C. The Cavs sit in second place with a plus-18 differential, behind the 2-0 Hawks with a plus-13 differential.

It’s just the fourth time a defending NBA champion will face a team with at least a 15-game winning streak.

The rafters are filled with NBA title banners at TD Garden. Cleveland has played the part in 15 games. Now, it will face its toughest test.

The rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals looks similar on paper, but the Cavs, equipped with new head coach Kenny Atkinson, have blossomed into a mature contender. They brought back 13 of the 14 players from last year’s squad, and they look completely different on offense.

Averaging an NBA-best in points per game (123.7) and field goal percentage (52.4%), Atkinson tinkered with the blueprint and now Cleveland runs at a blistering pace that buries the opposition. A runaway train from the opening tip on most nights. The defensive identify tends to emerge when they need it most. The Cavs are in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating.

The Cavs are also churning out 28.4 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league.

Cleveland has taken down the Orlando Magic, who took them to seven games in the first-round last season, the star-studded LA Lakers, New York Knicks and streaking Golden State Warriors.

The Cavs are led by franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell, who missed the previous game for rest. Mitchell touts 24.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 46.9% from the field.

Point guard Darius Garland’s revival is well documented. Garland is averaging 21.4 points, 7.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 52.5% from the field.

During their playoff series with the Celtics last year, power forward Evan Mobley provided a potent punch, averaging 19.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He dropped 33 points in Game 5. Mobley is averaging 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field this season.

Center Jarrett Allen has notched 14.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 66.2%, which the second-highest percentage in the NBA.

Mobley and Allen could be the determining factor for a Celtics team thriving from the perimeter. Cleveland is fourth in the league at points in the paint (53.6). Allen missed the playoff series against the Celtics with a broken rib.

Cleveland is fifth in the league in 3-pointers, averaging 15.5 3-pointers made. They connect on an NBA-best 41.9% of those attempts.

The defense has bent as of late, daring teams to beat them in a track meet.

The bench has been sensational, including the emergence of shooting guard Ty Jerome, who tallied 24 points in the win over the Hornets on Nov. 17. Jerome is averaging 10.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 59.4%, which is the 10th-highest percentage in the league.

The Cavs could be without many key role players for the matchup. Sixth man Caris LeVert and defensive piece Isaac Okoro are both questionable. The Cavs will be without defensive wing Dean Wade (ankle), who provided Cleveland with an unforgettable comeback against the Celtics last season.

A victory over the Celtics is the latest proof that the Cavs have arrived as legitimate contenders to the Eastern Conference crown, and beyond. Look no further than the odds to see many still don’t believe.

Watch Cavs vs. Celtics for free on DirecTV Stream

The Celtics (11-3) have won four of their last five and will gladly be the measuring stick to determine whether Cleveland is for real.

Boston is second in scoring with 121.6 points while shooting 45.9% from the field. They are a seasoned blend of high-powered offense and defense, similar to their identity last year.

The title defense begins with the superstar tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Tatum has been lights out, averaging 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field. Tatum has been especially lethal on the glass against the Cavs, corralling double-digit rebounds in nine of his past 10 games against the Cavs.

Brown, the MVP of last year’s NBA Finals, tallies 25.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 43% from the field.

Veteran guard Jrue Holiday chips in 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field.

Derrick White is averaging 18.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field. White is averaging 3.8 3-pointers made per game this season. He shoots 42% from beyond the arc.

Just as Jerome has turned heads in Cleveland, point guard Payton Pritchard has been a pleasant surprise in Boston, tallying 15.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 46.4% from the field. He is questionable with a left thumb sprain.

Veteran center Al Horford is averaging 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 50% from the field.

Boston leads the NBA in 3-point makes per game with 18.9 and are ninth in 3-point percentage, hitting 37% from beyond the arc. The Celtics have a significantly better 3-point defense than the Cavs, which could prove to be an X-factor.

The Celtics must win this game to avoid falling 0-2 in East Group C play. They already lost to the Hawks.

It’s the most anticipated matchup in the NBA this season. Fittingly, it takes place on the defending NBA champion’s home court.

What are the latest standings for the NBA Cup East Group C?

• Atlanta Hawks, 2-0, +13
• Cleveland Cavaliers, 1-0, +18
• Boston Celtics, 0-1, -1
• Washington Wizards, 0-1, -12
• Chicago Bulls, 0-1, -18

Cavs vs. Celtics Injury Report

Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates (G-League two-way), Max Strus (right ankle sprain) and Dean Wade (left ankle sprain are all out.

Caris LeVert (left knee inflammation), Sam Merrill (left ankle inflammation) and Isaac Okoro (left ankle strain) are all questionable.

Boston Celtics: JD Davison (G-League two-way), Drew Peterson (G-league two-way), Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis tendon surgery rehabilitation) and Anton Watson (G-league two-way) are all out.

Payton Pritchard (left thumb sprain) is questionable.

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What are the latest odds for Cavs vs. Celtics?

Moneyline: CLE (+164), BOS: (-198)

Spread: CLE: (+5), BOS: (-5)

Over/Under: 235

Odds from DraftKings

Here’s more information on how to watch Cavs vs. Celtics on TV or streaming services:

What: NBA basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024

Time: 7 p.m. Eastern

Where: TD Garden | Boston, Massachusetts

Channel: TNT, NBC Sports Boston

Best streaming options: FuboTV (available in Boston markets only: free trial and $20 off first month) DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (half off first month)

Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios