For the third time in this series, the Heat have a chance to advance to the NBA Finals as they host the Celtics in Game 6 of the East Finals on Saturday night.
The C’s have won the past two games and are 2.5-point favourites on the NBA odds.
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Playoff Betting Odds
With the Celtics winning Game 5 of the East Finals by a score 110-97 at home to cut the Heat’s series lead to 3-2, Miami is now -141 on the series line (-286 entering Game 5) with Boston +106 (was +204). The favoured exact result is Celtics in seven at +116, which is now where I lean, followed by Heat in six at +119 and Heat in seven at +471.
The Celtics are 2-0 in Game 6s, winning both on the road. The Heat have played a single Game 6, winning 96-92 at home vs. New York in the last round to eliminate the Knicks.
Boston would have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals against Denver but Miami wouldn’t. The Nuggets are -192 title favourites, with the C’s at +268 and Heat +503.
Boston Celtics
The three-point shooting has completely flipped in the series and that’s the biggest reason why the Celtics have won back-to-back elimination games by double digits. In the 110-97 victory on Thursday, Boston was 16-for-39 from deep and outscored Miami by 21 points. Derrick White led Boston with 24 points, one of four Celtics to score at least 20. The Heat didn’t have any 20-point scorers. It was the fifth time in NBA postseason history a team had four 20-point scorers and its opponent had zero in a game and first since 2013. Boston’s plus-51 margin in points from starters was its third-largest in the playoffs since starts were tracked starting in 1970-71. If there’s one concern, the bench didn’t play well as Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon was scoreless in eight minutes. He’s playing through a torn tendon in his right arm and is no sure thing for Game 6. Payton Pritchard and White picked up Brogdon’s minutes. The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their past seven.
Miami Heat
Miami never led and had 16 turnovers in Game 5. Not a huge surprise the Heat were held to a series-low 97 points playing without starting guard Gabe Vincent, who was out with an ankle injury suffered in Game 4. He’s averaging 17.5 points on 57.9% shooting overall and 50% from deep. Not clear if he will be ready by Saturday. The last thing the Heat needed was another injury in the backcourt with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo already out. Former Raptor Kyle Lowry started for Vincent in Game 5 and wasn’t a factor in 30 minutes. Jimmy Butler was held to just 14 points. Centre Bam Adebayo had six turnovers Thursday and now has 10 the past two games. Duncan Robinson was a bright spot with 18 points off the bench. This is the first time Miami has lost back-to-back games in this postseason. The Heat are 7-2 ATS in their past nine at home.
Game 6 Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 May 1:36pm | BOS | -5.5 -120 | O +150.5 -149 |
| Closing 28 May 12:26am | BOS | -2 -105 | O +208.5 -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. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 May 1:36pm BOS -5.5 -120 O +150.5 -149 Closing 28 May 12:26am BOS -2 -105 O +208.5 -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.