The Eastern Conference Finals shift to Miami for Game 3 on Sunday with the eighth-seeded Heat up on the second-seeded Celtics 2-0 in the series.
Boston is a 3-point favourite on the NBA odds.
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Playoff Betting Odds
Miami has become the first eighth seed in NBA history to ever lead a conference finals (or NBA Finals) 2-0 thanks to a 111-105 road upset on Friday. On the updated series line, the Heat are -185 (were +171 entering Game 2) and Celtics +139 (were -235). On the series handicap, Boston at -1.5 games is +496 and Miami at +1.5 games is -909.
The over-under for total games is 5.5, with the over a -286 favourite. That it finishes in seven is the +164 leader and a sweep is +302. The top exact result is Celtics in seven at +239 (still leaning there myself) barely over Heat in a sweep at +297.
Boston is 1-1 in Game 3s in these playoffs, both on the road. Miami is 2-0 in its Game 3s, both at home.
Boston Celtics
We faded the Celtics to cover the 8- and 9-point spreads, respectively, in the first two games of this series but am shocked they lost both outright at home. Boston had been 3-0 after a home playoff loss this year but had another fourth-quarter meltdown in the 111-105 Game 2 defeat on Friday. Jayson Tatum finished with a game-high 34 points to go with 13 rebounds and eight assists, but he didn’t make a field goal in the fourth quarter for the second game in a row and has totalled five turnovers in said quarters. Still, all looked fine when Grant Williams hit a three-pointer to put the Celtics up 96-87 with 6:37 left in the fourth quarter. Williams started jawing with Heat star Jimmy Butler and that woke Miami up as it finished the game on a 24-9 run. Boston is 4-1 ATS in its past five road games.
Miami Heat
The Heat have been the better coached, more poised club in the first two games by frustrating the Celtics into fourth quarter mistake after mistake. In Game 2, Boston didn’t make a field goal for the final 3 minutes, 52 seconds, missing its final four shots and committing two turnovers. That allowed Miami to close with a 24-9 run over the final 6:37. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Bam Adebayo had 22 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists. It was his 23rd career playoff double-double, passing Dwyane Wade for the 2nd most in Heat history, behind LeBron James (31). At the same time, the Heat have showed their flaws in trailing by at least 12 in each of the first two games. The Heat are 6-2 this postseason when trailing by at least 10 points in a game. The rest of the NBA is 15-60. Miami is 6-1 ATS in its past seven at home.
Game 3 Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 May 1:46pm | BOS | -7.5 -123 | O +150.5 -109 |
| Closing 21 May 8:01pm | BOS | -4.5 -110 | O +214.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Blake Griffin (PF)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Al Horford (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Cody Zeller (PF)
Caleb Martin (SF)
Cody Zeller (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Kevin Love (PF)
Omer Yurtseven (C)
Cody Zeller (PF)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Haywood Highsmith (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Prob Mon | Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Brogdon is nursing a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Prob Fri | Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Brogdon is managing a right forearm strain, but it is likely that he will take on the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Smart is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 05 / 05 / 23 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Griffin is tending to lower-back pain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Ques Wed | Chest - 02 / 05 / 23 | 6-7 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Smart is nursing a chest contusion, leaving his status against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals up in the air. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sun | Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23 | 8-9 | 11-6 | + - |
|
Smart is hindered by a tailbone contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Prob Sat | Back - 08 / 04 / 23 | 12-9 | 13-8 | + - |
|
Horford is nursing lower back stiffness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Hawks. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 | 12-9 | 13-8 | + - |
|
Williams is managing left knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Hawks. |
|||||
| Derrick White (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
White has a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's tilt with the Raptors. |
|||||
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 06 / 04 / 23 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Brogdon is hampered by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will bounce back in time to face the Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Wed | Foot - 06 / 06 / 23 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Caleb Martin (SF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 03 / 06 / 23 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 03 / 06 / 23 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23 | 3-4 | 1-6 | + - |
|
Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23 | 4-5 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Kevin Love (PF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23 | 5-5 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Omer Yurtseven (C) | Ques Fri | Nose - 18 / 05 / 23 | 6-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Wed | Illness - 15 / 05 / 23 | 6-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23 | 6-7 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks. |
|||||
| Haywood Highsmith (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 11 / 05 / 23 | 6-7 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 May 1:46pm BOS -7.5 -123 O +150.5 -109 Closing 21 May 8:01pm BOS -4.5 -110 O +214.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
-
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23Blake Griffin (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23Al Horford (C)
Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23Derrick White (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23Caleb Martin (SF)
Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23Kevin Love (PF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23Omer Yurtseven (C)
Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23Haywood Highsmith (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23 2-1 0-3 + - Brogdon is nursing a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23 3-4 3-4 + - Brogdon is managing a right forearm strain, but it is likely that he will take on the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23 5-6 6-5 + - Smart is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Blake Griffin (PF) Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23 6-6 6-6 + - Griffin is tending to lower-back pain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers.
Marcus Smart (PG) Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23 6-7 7-6 + - Smart is nursing a chest contusion, leaving his status against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals up in the air.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23 8-9 11-6 + - Smart is hindered by a tailbone contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Al Horford (C) Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23 12-9 13-8 + - Horford is nursing lower back stiffness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Hawks.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23 12-9 13-8 + - Williams is managing left knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Hawks.
Derrick White (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23 13-9 13-9 + - White has a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's tilt with the Raptors.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23 13-9 13-9 + - Brogdon is hampered by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will bounce back in time to face the Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23 1-2 1-2 + - Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Caleb Martin (SF) Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23 1-3 1-3 + - Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23 1-3 1-3 + - Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23 3-4 1-6 + - Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23 4-5 2-7 + - Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kevin Love (PF) Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23 5-5 3-7 + - Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Omer Yurtseven (C) Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23 6-6 4-8 + - Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23 6-6 4-8 + - Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23 6-7 5-8 + - Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks.
Haywood Highsmith (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23 6-7 5-8 + - Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.