The Miami Heat stunned the Celtics in Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and try for a 2-0 series lead Friday.
The C’s are priced as 9-point home favourites on the NBA odds and a total of 215.5 points.
Heat vs. Celtics NBA Playoff Betting Odds
Even though Miami stole Game 1 by a score of 123-116 as an 8-point road underdog, the Celtics remain -235 series line favourites (were -625 entering Game 1) with the Heat +171 (were +350). On the series handicap, Boston at -1.5 games is +133 and Miami +1.5 games is -179.
The over-under for total tams is 5.5, with the over now -357 (was -127). That it finishes in six games is the new +148 leader, and the favoured exact result is Celtics in seven at +232, which is where I lean. The favourite had been Boston in five at +205 but that’s now +394. An unlikely Miami sweep is +1297.
The Celtics are 2-0 in Game 2s in these playoffs, winning both at home easily. The Heat are 0-2 in Game 2s, losing both on the road.
The Heat are 14-5-1 ATS in their past 19 in Boston.
Miami Heat
We thought the 8-point spread for Game 1 was too high as we projected Miami to cover that spread, but Jimmy Butler & Co. did much better than that as they stunned Boston 123-116 largely thanks to a 46-25 edge in third-quarter scoring. That’s a sign of great coaching when you dominate out of halftime, and Erik Spoelstra is considered one of the NBA’s best. Butler was the best player on the floor as he has been for most of these playoffs with 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a whopping six steals while also playing excellent defence on Boston star Jayson Tatum. Miami also got 15 points each off the bench from Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry. The Heat are the fifth team in league history to win Game 1 on the road in each of their first three playoff series. None of the previous four won an NBA title. The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their past five on the road.
Boston Celtics
Boston simply loses focus at home sometimes – Wednesday was the Celtics’ fourth home playoff defeat already. They did win following each of the first three and I fully expect them to do so on Friday as well, but 9 points after what we just saw? All-Star Jayson Tatum, who finished fourth in regular-season MVP voting, got off to a good start in Game 1 but had zero field goals attempted and three turnovers in the fourth quarter. How does Jayson Tatum get zero shot attempts in the fourth? Yes, Jimmy Butler did play great defence on him as Tatum shot 38 per cent from the field when Butler was his final defender in the half court and 60 per cent against other Heat defenders. I’d expect a massive bounce-back game for Tatum on Friday if thinking about player props. The only player on the Celtics roster with a positive plus/minus rating was Jaylen Brown at plus-3. He had 22 points and nine rebounds. The C’s attempted 29 three-pointers and usually attempt around 40. Miami outscored Boston by 18 behind the arc. The Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their past nine after a loss.
Game 2 Prediction: Who Will Win Heat vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 May 1:31pm | MIA | -1.5 -118 | U +145.5 -147 |
| Closing 19 May 5:41pm | MIA | -9.5 -110 | O +215 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
30.07 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
8.77 |
| FG% |
74.7 |
| Steals |
1.52 |
| Blocks |
1.37 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
27.15 |
| Assists |
5.25 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.7 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 May 1:31pm MIA -1.5 -118 U +145.5 -147 Closing 19 May 5:41pm MIA -9.5 -110 O +215 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 30.07
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 8.77
FG% 74.7
Steals 1.52
Blocks 1.37
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
Points 27.15
Assists 5.25
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.7
-
Injuries
Cody 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 / 23Malcolm 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 / 23Injuries
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.
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.