After Jimmy Butler's one-man show in Game 1, can the Miami Heat pull off another win on Thursday and take a 2-0 series lead over the Celtics?
The Miami Heat capitalized on home court advantage in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday, downing the shorthanded Boston Celtics 118-107. The Celtics will try to even the series in Game 2 on Thursday, although the lineup they’ll be able to field is still a question mark.
Miami is a 4-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 207.5.
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
Boston’s failure to cover the spread in Game 1 was an anomaly as they’re 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games overall. It’s generally a high scoring affair when they head to Florida, with the total going Over in four of their last six trips to Miami. The Celtics now sit as +120 underdogs to win the series.
No team has been able to solve the Heat at home for a while now, as Miami has won 10 straight home games, including all seven in the playoffs. They’ve also been a solid cover option, going 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games. Miami sits as a -141 favourite to win the series.
The Heat’s Game 1 win evened the season series between these teams after the Celtics took two of three regular season tilts. The favoured exact series result is for Miami to win in seven games or Boston to win in six games, which are both sitting at +375. The biggest long shot is for the Celtics to win in five games at +1100.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics showed they can clearly hang with Miami and even took an eight-point lead into halftime, but their depleted lineup caught up with them after the break. Two key players were late scratches from Game 1. Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart (foot) and Al Horford (COVID protocols) both missed the game. Smart is listed as probable for Game 2, while Horford is doubtful. Jayson Tatum led the way on Tuesday, finishing with a team-high 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown added a double-double of 24 points and 10 boards. The two stars have paced Boston throughout the playoffs, with Tatum averaging 28.3 points per game in the postseason and Brown averaging 22.3 points.
Miami Heat
It was the Jimmy Butler show in the second half of Game 1. Butler scored 27 of his game-high 41 points in the second half, helping Miami go on a 22-2 run immediately after the break. The rest of Butler’s stat line included nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocked shots. Tyler Herro chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds, while Gabe Vincent had 17 points. The Heat are averaging 112.4 ppg over their last five wins. In that span, Butler has hit the 40-point mark twice and he is averaging 33.8 ppg. Through 11 postseason games, Butler is averaging 29.8 ppg, trailing only Luka Doncic among the four remaining playoff teams.
Kyle Lowry is out for Game 2 as he deals with a lingering hamstring injury. Vincent and Max Strus are also dealing with hamstring injuries and are both considered questionable for Thursday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 18 May 3:55am | BOS | -4 -110 | O +206 -110 |
| Closing 20 May 12:34am | BOS | -1 -102 | O +206 -116 |
- 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 18 May 3:55am BOS -4 -110 O +206 -110 Closing 20 May 12:34am BOS -1 -102 O +206 -116 -
- 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.