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Celtics vs Heat Game 3 Prediction, Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
NBA Odds Insist on Celtics as Favorite Despite 0-2 Status
Look away, Boston fans. No higher-seeded team has overcome an 0-2 deficit in the Conference Finals. But there is a first time for everything and the NBA lines expect Boston to get back in the series in Game 3 in Miami. The Celtics are favored for the third straight game and are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games in Miami. An epic comeback could be underway.
Tatum Can’t Do It All for Boston
The Celtics were one ill-advised Grant Williams chirp from tying the series 1-1. Alas, Boston could not close out Miami and surrendered a 24-9 in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter to go lose as nine-point favorites on the sports betting lines. Jayson Tatum led all players with 34 points but failed to make a field goal (0-of-3) in the fourth.
It was the second consecutive game where Tatum failed to make a field goal in the final quarter. But he was the only reason Boston was in the game against Miami for Game 2. Still, Boston was outrebounded 14-4 in the fourth. Miami just wanted it more.
Tatum’s supporting cast needs to be much better. Jaylen Brown shot just 7-of-23 and was a game-worst -24. Marcus Smart and Al Horford combined for nine points on 3-of-10 shooting and were both -15. The Celtics can be bet online if it can match Miami’s effort and intensity across 48 minutes. It’s now or never.
“We still have the utmost confidence”
Jayson Tatum says the Celtics are still confident they can come back, despite being down 2-0 against the Heat pic.twitter.com/hw088oLjfg
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 20, 2023
Heat Keep Playing with House Money
At this point, calling Miami’s playoff run a “Cinderella run” seems inappropriate given how this team has played. Miami made NBA news with another comeback win: its sixth of the playoffs. In winning, the Heat improved to 7-3 (8-2 ATS) as an underdog in the postseason. The team continues to be a lucrative NBA picks and are showing no signs of slowing down.
The spotlight is on Jimmy Butler who scored eight of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to lead Miami’s comeback. Bam Adebayo was just as instrumental if not better as he went one assist why of a triple-double with 22 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists.
And while Boston’s role players were mainly muted, Miami’s spoke up. Caleb Martin scored 25 points off the bench, hitting 11-of-16 from the field. Duncan Robinson also scored 15. Their potency more than made up for Kyle Lowry’s and Kevin Love’s zero points. More notably, the Heat continued to find success in neutralizing Tatum to close the game.
Celtics vs Heat Game Injuries
Celtics vs Heat Head-to-Head
Miami has won six straight home games but just one of it last five when facing Boston. The total has also gone over in these teams’ last five meetings.
Celtics vs Heat Game Information
- Game: Heat (55-42) vs Celtics (65-32
- Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
- Day/Time: Sunday, May 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Celtics vs Heat Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
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Celtics vs Heat Betting Lines
Celtics vs Heat Picks & Prediction
Boston will need to play more desperately to save their season. As such, the sportsbook expects it to be the likelier winner. Brown should bounce back from his worst game of the season and Tatum should continue to produce. It’s possible that this dynamic duo both score 25+ points and Boston is 4-0 when they do.
Boston is listed at -150 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Heat, you can win $67. Miami is +130, offering a chance to win $130 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Boston a 60.00% chance to win, with the Heat at 43.48%
Celtics vs Heat Trends
Celtics vs Heat Edge
Celtics vs Heat Results
Celtics vs Heat Game Summary
Heat vs Celtics Previous Game (May 19, 2023)
The Miami Heat rallied in the second half and beat the favored Boston Celtics 123-116 in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Led by Jimmy Butler, Miami marched into the TD Garden and stormed back from a six-point halftime deficit to steal a home game from the Celtics.
Heat vs Celtics Game Summary
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