The Boston Celtics (60-35, 52-41-2) host the Miami Heat (62-33, 54-40-1) in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday at TD Garden. Boston evened the series at one game apiece on Thursday – can they take their first lead of the series? Find out in our Heat vs Celtics prediction.
- Date/Time: May 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: TD Garden
- TV Coverage: ABC
- Sportsbook Heat vs Celtics Odds: Celtics -6 | O/U 208.5
- Heat vs Celtics Betting Matchup Report
Heat vs Celtics Odds & Analysis
Sportsbook Odds
The Celtics opened as a six-point favorite for at home with the total set at 208.5 points. The OVER is 4-2 in Boston’s last six games while the UNDER is 9-4 in Miami’s last 13 outings. Miami holds a slight edge with three wins in the last four meetings at TD Garden, so it’s possible that the visitors turn the tables on our Heat vs Celtics prediction.
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- Best Spread-109-110MIA+5.5-5.5BOS
- Best Moneyline+195-225MIABOS
- Best Total- --110Over207.5Under
Poor Defensive Outing Costs Heat In Game 2
Game 2 looked like it was Miami’s for the taking early on as the Heat built a 10-point lead in the Sportsbook minutes, but it didn’t last long as they fell 127-102 to the Celtics. Jimmy Butler led the way again offensively with 29 points while Gabe Vincent (14 points), Victor Oladipo (14 points) and Tyler Herro (11 points) also finished in double digits.
The loss marked Miami’s first defeat on home court in these playoffs after the club won each of its first seven games at FTX Arena. The Heat also surrendered their highest total by far of the postseason – the last time they allowed more points in a game was during a 133-129 win against the San Antonio Spurs on February 26.
Kyle Lowry (hamstring) and PJ Tucker (knee) are questionable for Game 3.
Celtics Bounce Back To Tie Series
The Celtics needed a big bounce-back effort in Game 2 and that’s exactly what they got – on both ends of the court. Jayson Tatum led the team in scoring with 27 points while Marcus Smart (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (24 points) added 20-plus as well.
Boston held Miami to 44 percent shooting from the field while forcing the Heat into 14 turnovers, compared to just nine for the Celtics. Boston also shot the lights out from three, going 20-for-40 from beyond the arc. Smart, who made his return to the lineup after missing Game 1 with a foot injury, shot 8-for-22 but led the team with five three-pointers.
Nik Stauskas (leg) and Derrick White (personal) are probable for Saturday.
Heat vs Celtics Pick & Insights
Heat: Keys to Cover
After scoring 118 points, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and getting to the free throw line 34 times in Game 1, the Heat saw all of those numbers fall off drastically in Game 2. They’ll need to be more aggressive in Game 3 to force the Celtics defense back onto their heels.
Celtics: Keys to Cover
The Celtics had everything go right for them in Game 2: their top three offensive players all had great games and the team was focused all night defensively. It’ll be hard to blow out the Heat again, but if the Celtics can keep up that level of intensity they’ll be in good shape.
NBA Computer Pick: Heat +6.5
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- The OVER is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
- The OVER is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
- Miami is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games.
