Boston Celtics-Miami Heat: Match Preview, Bets, Odds, Stats, & Much More | 22 May

The NBA is now moving into the title window at an electric rate and we have seen some enthralling contests throughout the Postseason. We have seen the Golden State Warriors take a huge two-nil lead versus the Dallas Mavericks but the latter still can’t be taken lightly. On the other hand, we have the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. The series is tied and in the last game, the Celtics took advantage of Smart’s return and defeated the Heat 127:102 as Jayson Tatum popped in 27 points. Can the Heat reclaim a lead in this series or will the Celtics pin down an advantage on their home floor?

Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet are giving the Celtics an overwhelming advantage, with the highly favorable odds of 1.37, and the Heat has been given rather highly unfavorable odds of 3.10. The Celtics clinched a 127:102 win away from home and they look way more cohesive unit when Marcus Smart and Al Horford both are in the fray. Can the Heat beat the odds here? I believe this will be the closest of all games so far and the Heat may force a close encounter. (Handicap 2 -1.5 for 3.5)

Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.86 for Jimmy Butler getting over 26.5 Points (At least 27 Points). Butler has scored 30+ in half of the Playoffs outings so far and banged home 29 in the last game, which is surely a great return. I see the wing heat up here and notch one away from home. I believe he will go “Over” here. (Player Props: Player Points: Jimmy Butler Over 26.5 for 1.86)

Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of Over/Under 207.5 the odds of 1.97 on either side. This is what the bookmakers have predicted in the first games too(or somewhere near that score) but the first two match-ups have reached 229 and 225. And it will not be a surprise if the total will go “Over” here so I will wager on the total going “Over” here. (Total Over 207.5 for 1.97)

This match is available on the NBA League Pass.

Unlike the 76ers, which had some cracks in terms of depth and didn’t have anyone being on fire, the Heat is now dealing with the Celtics, a squad that has more scoring balance than the 76ers. That is why relying alone on Butler won’t get it done, which has unfortunately been the case for Miami throughout the Playoffs. Adebayo has been a terrific defender and rebounder but he hasn’t attempted many shots. On the other hand, Herro isn’t dropping 20 or so anymore as the defense has picked up, Vicent had 14 in the last game and he has gotten it done in the first two games but Strus will need to shoot better than 2/7 from three as he did in the last game. The Heat can achieve more scoring balance if Adebayo is more aggressive and someone like Tucker will also have to do more. If Lowry returns, will it help the matters, because he hasn’t been as high-yielding as expected due to his hamstring injury?

One of the main reasons why the Celtics are on fire these days is that the management did a great job of not breaking up the core that has been built during the last four years or so. Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, Robert, and Grant all know each other well and have had tremendous experience together, especially Smart, Brown, Tatum, and Horford. This is why over the season, the ball movement improved and the defense is top-notch because almost all of these players are elite defenders. In the last game, Smart and Brown each had 24 points while Tatum had 27. Horford had 10, Grant had 19 and Pritchard had 10, what an amazing scoring balance! The Celtics gave 28 assists(Smart:12) and clicked on 20 threes at 50% which means they blitzed the Heat from outside and with their athleticism and size, they can also get it done inside. Can they bury the Heat twice in a row though?

• Heat most likely starting five: PG: Gabe Vincent / Kyle Lowry | SG: Max Strus | SF: Jimmy Butler | PF: PJ Tucker | C: Bam Adebayo;
• Key Bench Player: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson;
• Celtics most likely starting five: PG: Marcus Smart | G: Jaylen Brown | SF: Jayson Tatum | C: Al Horford | C: Robert Williams III;
• Key Bench Players: Derrick White, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard, Daniel Theis.