With a staggering -100000 odds to win the series outright following a Game 1 victory at home, the Boston Celtics will look to handle their business at TD Garden once again when the Miami Heat visit for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Let's put together a same-game parlay and win some money.
Series Preview: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics First Round Betting Odds
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Game 2
Matchup Page: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics, 7 p.m. ET
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics ATS -14.5 | -108 |
| Derrick White OVER 12.5 Points | -122 |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. OVER 14.5 Points | -106 |
| Overall | +523 |
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 1: Boston Celtics ATS -14.5
If Jimmy Butler were healthy for the Heat, then the entire complexion of this best-of-seven would change. Miami would be more of a threat, especially considering it eliminated Boston in last year's conference finals in seven games.
That's not the case, though, so for now, we're simply waiting for the inevitable to happen. A 114-94 result in Game 1 is indicative of how the remainder of this round should unfold, barring the Celtics becoming their own worst enemy and blowing a game or two out of sheer laziness. The Heat outscored Boston 35-23 in the fourth quarter when it had all but been decided at that point, so the margin really should have been much greater for spread bettors out there.
The Celtics were also 14.5-point favorites in Game 1, both covering ATS and winning SU in convincing fashion. Miami still has weapons, but they're horribly outgunned and outclassed by the cream of the crop in the Association. Another blowout is surely in store on Wednesday.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 2: Derrick White OVER 12.5 Points
While Derrick White is at best the fourth-option offensively in the Celtics' Monstars-esque starting unit, he's more than capable of breaking out and putting up points in a hurry, which rings especially true on nights when games become a cakewalk and everyone is eating right.
White was second on Boston in scoring in Game 1 with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four makes from 3-point range. It was the second time in 2023-24 that the 29-year-old guard dropped 20 points or more on Miami, as he had 28 points in an eight-point win on Oct. 27.
If this game gets away from Miami again, expect White to receive ample looks and register well more than what oddsmakers would lead you to believe at just 12.5 points. Boston doesn't need its dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to soak up touches and usage against the feeble Heat, so White should be in good shape to nail this prop.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 3: Jaime Jaquez Jr. OVER 14.5 Points
Butler's absence creates ample opportunity for rookie wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. to maximize his first-ever postseason appearance and put up some healthy numbers in the process.
The 23-year-old ended Game 1 with 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists across 36 minutes of action while shooting 8-of-16 from the field. He had scored 20 and 18 points over his last two games of the regular season, respectively, marking the first time since late December that Jaquez Jr. has finished with at least 16 points in three-straight outings.
The Heat need offense, and a lot of it at that. His 16 shot attempts were second only to Bam Adebayo in Game 1, which is a good sign moving forward. Although Jaquez Jr. barely broke the 14.5-point total set for Game 2 last Sunday, with the role he currently has in the starting lineup, there's potential for even greater box scores.
