Heat vs Celtics: In Game 2, Boston got the road win they needed after a long series with Milwaukee. Support them after a poor first game, as we predicted in our NBA betting picks and predictions. It’s about maintaining that momentum when they return to TD Garden. Also, Boston set the Eastern Conference Finals with a dominating Game 2 performance. In the process, they are securing a home-court advantage.
Game 3 odds
After winning Game 2, the Celtics entered as 5.5-point favorites late Thursday night. It fell to -6 in minutes, and by Friday morning, it had dropped to -6.5. Moreover, the total opened at 208 or 208.5, moving in the other direction. Also, after spending on the book, by Friday noon and dropped to 207.5. Keep track of any future line adjustments with the live odds widget above until the game begins. Before betting, review all NBA odds to ensure you get the most significant number.
Heat vs Celtics: Game 3 predictions
- Prediction: Celtics -6.5 (-105)
- Prediction: Under 207.5 (-108)
- Best bet: Celtics 1H -3 (-110)
Game 3 info
- TD Garden, Boston, MA
- Saturday, May 21, 2022
- 8:30 p.m. ET
- ABC TV
Heat vs Celtics series odds
Heat: +210
Celtics: -270
Key injuries
Celtics: Derrick White PG, Nik Stauskas SG
Heat: P.J. Tucker SF, Kyle Lowry PG
In Miami’s previous six games, the Under is 5-1. The team then allowed at least 100 points in the next game, except for Game 2, after conceding at least 100 points in the previous round. In Game 1, they gave up 107 points to Boston.
Picks and predictions
Over/Under analysis
Except for Boston’s excellent shooting in Game 2, both defenders are superior to their respective offenses. While both Games 1 and 2 exceeded their predicted totals. Their lopsided second halves had a crucial effect. In a close game, these defenses should set the pace. From 203.5 before Game 1 to 206 before Game 2 to 207.5 before Game 3, the series total will rise too high. Moderate shooting will be rewarded on Day Under, but Saturday should be the day. Consider the Celtics’ fast pace in Game 2 and the hypothetical of deducting five made threes. It wasn’t a good idea, in line with Boston’s postseason statistics. Also, instead of 229, the final score would have been 214.
Prediction: Under 207.5
Spread analysis
Boston would never admit such a thing. Even though this would be against all competitive standards, the Celtics had to prepare for a loss in Game 1. It must be agreed that missing two starters for a Conference Finals game is a disadvantage. Also, Boston went to an eight-man rotation in place of Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Daniel Theis gets 20 minutes more than Aaron Nesmith. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each played 44 minutes in Game 1. Understandably, they became exhausted in the second half.
Moreover, Boston kept its rotation tight in Game 2. However, Nesmith and Theis only played together for 13 minutes. Tatum was limited to 32 minutes despite the Celtics playing seven crucial minutes. If Derrick White had been available, Brown to 33 would have been an eight-man rotation. Even though it was a blowout, none of the seven players played for less than 20 minutes. In other words, Boston’s plan did not change in Game 1. The quality of its players had diminished. In Game 2, the Celtics were back in action.
Heat vs Celtics
On the other hand, strong shooting guided the team to a 25-point triumph. Even without the variation, Boston would have won. The Celtics have shot 38.8 percent from the three-point range in the playoffs, compared to 50 percent on Thursday. From beyond the line, it was a five-make increase. Boston still wins by eleven points even without them. It would have also lifted the Celtics to a postseason field goal percentage of 45.9%. And it’s down from Game 2’s 51.2 percent. Also, it wasn’t even that Miami had a terrible shooting performance. However, 44.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from a distance aren’t far from the postseason averages of 46.4 and 32 percent, respectively.
Lastly, there is little reason to believe the Heat will ever exceed those averages. Only twice this postseason has Miami made 40% of its three-point attempts, one of which came against the Hawks in the first round. Only three of the Heat’s 13 games have seen them shoot better than 50% from the field, with the playoff opener being one of them.
Read more at OKBET: Warriors vs Mavericks Game 1: NBA Play-Off Prediction and Odds
Image Credit: www.forbes.com
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