The Celtics and Heat have traded wins back-and-forth through four games of the Eastern Conference Finals, a trend Boston will look to snap when they travel to Miami for Game 5 on Wednesday.
The Eastern Conference Finals is down to a best-of-3 following the Boston Celtics’ 102-82 win over the Miami Heat to tie the playoff series at two wins apiece on Monday. These teams have alternated victories every game this series, with neither team able to hold momentum for consecutive games. Game 5 will go from Miami on Wednesday night.
The Celtics are 2-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 204.0.
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
The total has gone Over in 10 of the last 14 meetings between the teams, although Monday was the first time it hit in this playoff series. A weird stat worth noting is there hasn’t been a lead change in the series since the first quarter of Game 2, so a quick start is essential.
Boston enters Wednesday 14-6 straight up in their last 20 games and 14-5 against the spread in their last 19. They’ve been able to put points on the board as the total has gone Over in five of their last seven trips to Miami and four of their last five games against Southeast opponents. The Celtics are -185 favourites to win the series.
The Heat will be glad to return home where they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games, although that one loss did occur against Boston in Game 2. They’ve leaned more towards low scoring games lately, with the total going Under in 10 of their last 15 contests. Miami now sits as a +138 series underdog.
This tight series sports identical -115 odds to end in either six or seven games. The favoured exact series result is Boston winning in six games at +151. The biggest long shot is Miami in six at +523.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics will try to buck the trend of this back-and-forth series and get a second straight win on Wednesday. Jayson Tatum led the charge in Game 4, finishing with a game-high 31 points and eight rebounds. Boston jumped out to an early 18-1 lead and never looked back, extending their record to a perfect 5-0 following a loss in these playoffs. Payton Pritchard put up 14 points for the Celtics, while Derrick White had 13 points and Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams III each had 12.
Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart missed the game after suffering a sprained ankle in the second half of Game 3. Smart is listed as questionable for Game 5, but with two extra days to let the swelling in his ankle go down, there’s a legitimate chance he suits up.
Miami Heat
Miami had a brutal start in Game 4, missing 15 of their first 16 shots as the game was all but over after the first 12 minutes. The Heat trailed by 27 points in the second quarter and by 32 in the third. That was par for the course in this series as each game has featured a lead of at least 20 points and none have been close down the stretch. Victor Oladipo led all Miami scorers with 23 points. The starting five of Jimmy Butler (six points), Kyle Lowry (three points), P.J. Tucker (no points), Max Strus (no points) and Bam Adebayo (nine points) combined to shoot just 7 of 36. All five sat in the fourth quarter.
Injuries have been a big factor as Butler (right knee swelling), Lowry (strained left hamstring), Strus (strained hamstring) and Tucker (left knee irritation) were all listed as questionable prior to Game 4.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 22 May 1:18pm | BOS | -11.5 -111 | O +135.5 -133 |
| Closing 25 May 10:18pm | BOS | -3.5 -110 | O +203.5 -123 |
- 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 22 May 1:18pm BOS -11.5 -111 O +135.5 -133 Closing 25 May 10:18pm BOS -3.5 -110 O +203.5 -123 -
- 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.