There's a spot in the NBA Finals on the line as the Miami Heat open the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
The East has been whittled down to two teams. The Miami Heat are set to host the Boston Celtics for Game 1 of the Eastern conference Finals on Tuesday. Miami, the top seed in the East, knocked off Atlanta in five games and Philadelphia in six games to reach the conference finals. Boston, the No. 2 seed in the East, swept Brooklyn in the first-round and went the distance to Game 7 against Milwaukee in the second-round.
The Heat opened as 1.5-point favourites to win Game 1 on the NBA odds, while the total sits at 204.5.
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
This is a rematch of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals played in the Orlando bubble. Miami took that series in six games before losing to LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics took two of three meetings between the teams in the regular season, winning once at home and once on the road. The Heat won the most recent head-to-head, downing Boston 106-98 at TD Garden on March 30. Two of the three games went Under.
Boston has been on an absolute heater when it comes to covering the spread. They are 9-0 against the spread in their last nine road games and 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. The total went Under in five of their seven second-round games. Despite being the lower seed, the Celtics are actually -167 favourites to win the series.
Miami has been dangerous at home and open Game 1 on a nine-game home winning streak. They’re 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall, including 7-4 ATS in the playoffs. The total has gone Under in nine of the Heat’s 11 playoff games. They open the conference finals as +135 series underdogs.
The favoured exact series result is for Boston to win in six games at +280. The biggest long shot is a Miami sweep at+1550.
Boston Celtics
This will be Boston’s fourth trip to the conference finals in the last six years, but they’re still trying to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. Strong defensive play and clutch performances from stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart have been crucial for the Celtics through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Boston has a strong group of perimeter defenders, so shutting down Jimmy Butler will be key.
The Celtics absolutely destroyed Milwaukee to clinch the second-round series, setting a Game 7 record with 22 made three-pointers. They made 53 more three-pointers than the Bucks in the series, another NBA record. Boston’s 110 total three-pointers was tied for third-most in any playoff series. Tatum is averaging 28.3 points through 11 playoff games, fifth-best among all postseason players.
Smart, the Defensive Player of the Year, is questionable for Game 1 due to a foot injury suffered in Game 7 against Milwaukee. Robert Williams III, who missed the last four games with left knee soreness, has been cleared to return with no restrictions on Tuesday.
Miami Heat
This will be Miami’s ninth appearance in the conference finals in the franchise’s 34-year history. They’re 6-2 in their previous eight trips. With the availability of former Toronto Raptor Kyle Lowry in question, Butler will be forced to shoulder even more of the load in this series. The 32-year-old is averaging 29.7 ppg with improved shooting both inside and outside the paint. Tyler Herro could be a major X-factor. The Sixth Man of the Year was arguably the Heat’s best player in the regular season, but he’s been inconsistent in the playoffs. Herro is shooting just 27.3 per cent from beyond the arc and he’s struggled to adjust to more aggressive defences.
Miami had the best home record in the NBA during the regular season at 29-12 and they’re 6-0 at home in the playoffs. That makes home-court advantage huge for the Heat as they’ve won those six playoff games by an average of 17 points. As far as injuries go, the biggest concern remains around Lowry. The veteran point guard has missed significant time with a lingering hamstring injury. Lowry missed the final two games of the Hawks series and he only made two appearances in the 76ers series. He is currently listed as doubtful for Game 1.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 May 1:04pm | BOS | -2 -110 | O +206 -110 |
| Closing 18 May 12:25am | BOS | -4.5 -114 | O +203 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
21.39 |
| Assists |
7.52 |
| Rebounds |
10.07 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
0.79 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
| Points |
27.41 |
| Assists |
4.7 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
2.06 |
| Blocks |
0.72 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
21.39 |
| Assists |
7.52 |
| Rebounds |
10.07 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
0.79 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
| Points |
27.41 |
| Assists |
4.7 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
2.06 |
| Blocks |
0.72 |
Injuries
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Max Strus (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
P.J. Tucker (SF)
Max Strus (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
P.J. Tucker (SF)
Max Strus (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Williams III (C) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Fri | Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 | 5-4 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Strus (PG) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is likely that he will play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a left hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will battle the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry has a left hamstring strain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| P.J. Tucker (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Tucker is dealing with some irritation in his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Max Strus (PG) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a left hamstring strain, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Lowry has a left hamstring strain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| P.J. Tucker (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 26 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Tucker is dealing with some irritation in his left knee, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Max Strus (PG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will face the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Vincent is bothered by a left hamstring strain, but it is likely that he will face the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference. finals. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 May 1:04pm BOS -2 -110 O +206 -110 Closing 18 May 12:25am BOS -4.5 -114 O +203 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 21.39
Assists 7.52
Rebounds 10.07
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.65
Blocks 0.79
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
Points 27.41
Assists 4.7
Rebounds 8
FG% 66.7
Steals 2.06
Blocks 0.72
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 21.39
Assists 7.52
Rebounds 10.07
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.65
Blocks 0.79
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
Points 27.41
Assists 4.7
Rebounds 8
FG% 66.7
Steals 2.06
Blocks 0.72
-
Injuries
Robert Williams III (C)
Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22Max Strus (PG)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22Kyle Lowry (PG)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22P.J. Tucker (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22Max Strus (PG)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22Kyle Lowry (PG)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22P.J. Tucker (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 05 / 22Max Strus (PG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Robert Williams III (C) Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 0-2 0-2 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 5-4 3-6 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Max Strus (PG) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is likely that he will play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Vincent is battling a left hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will battle the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry has a left hamstring strain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
P.J. Tucker (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Tucker is dealing with some irritation in his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Max Strus (PG) Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Vincent is battling a left hamstring strain, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Prob Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Lowry has a left hamstring strain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
P.J. Tucker (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Tucker is dealing with some irritation in his left knee, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Max Strus (PG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will face the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22 1-2 1-2 + - Vincent is bothered by a left hamstring strain, but it is likely that he will face the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference. finals.