Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/21/2023

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Sunday, May 21, 2023

Venue:  Kaseya Center, Miami, FL

Where to Watch:  TNT

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -3, Heat +3; Over/Under:  213.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -3, Heat +3; Over/Under:  214 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  213.5 points

Boston Celtics:  57-25 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Miami Heat:  44-38 (1st place, Southeast Division)

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Boston Celtics:  5-5 last 10

Miami Heat:  8-2 last 10

The Celtics finished the regular season with a 57-25 record overall and they were 25-16 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with both losses coming against the Miami Heat in their last 2 games. Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 34 while Jaylen Brown was next on the team with 16 points. Jayson Tatum led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 46.8% from the field, 28.6% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.4 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 54-43 this season and their O/U record is 52-43-2.

The Heat finished the regular season with a 44-38 record overall and they were 27-14 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics in their last 2 games. Jimmy Butler led the team in points in that game with 27 while Caleb Martin was next on the team with 25 points. Bam Adebayo led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Bam Adebayo led the team in rebounds with 17. They were 45.7% from the field, 34.6% from 3-point range, and 94.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.8 PPG against them. The Heat have an ATS record of 41-53-3 this season and their O/U record is 51-46.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 3 of a 7-game series between the 2nd seeded Celtics and the 8th seeded Heat for the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA playoffs. The Heat are entering this game with a 2-0 series lead after stealing both road games in Boston to start the series. The Heat now have the next 2 games in this series at home and have a chance to sweep the Celtics in 4 games. The Celtics are still the highest seed left in the NBA though and they were not a bad road team this season. They were 25-16 in their road games during the regular season and they have played better on the road in the playoffs too with their home struggles lately. The Heat are playing really well right now but the Celtics are going to get a game back in this series and they will throw everything they have at the Heat here to win this game and avoid going down 3-0 in the series which would be very tough to come back from. The Celtics will give a big push back in this game and make sure they cut this series lead in half. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.

Celtics Heat Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Sunday, May 21, 2023 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 112 Heat 106.

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Boston Celtics: 16-6 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 12-2 ATS off 2 or more consecutive upset losses as a favorite. 14-4 UNDER on the road when the line is +3 to -3. 23-15 UNDER off an upset loss as a home favorite.

Miami Heat: 19-27 ATS in home games. 13-27 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 12-7 UNDER as a home underdog of 6 points or less. 18-9 UNDER after a win by 6 points or less.

Boston Celtics:  D. Gallinari (SF) out for season - Knee.

Miami Heat:  V. Oladipo (SG) out for season - Knee. T. Herro (SG) Early June - Hand.

“It’s tough. It’s a challenge. But there’s no point being up here sad and (stuff). They came in and won two games. They played well; you give them credit. But we’re not dead or anything. We've got a great opportunity. I still have the utmost confidence. Everybody has the utmost confidence. We've just got to get ready for Game 3.” - Jayson Tatum after their loss against the Heat in their game on Friday, game 2 of this series.

“I love that gnarly version of Jimmy. But you get that regardless. I think now people are just paying more attention. ... Jimmy is just a real competitor.” - Erik Spoelstra on Jimmy Butler after his team’s win against the Celtics in their game on Friday, game 2 of this series.

PG Marcus Smart

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Robert Williams III

PG Gabe Vincent

SG Max Strus

SF Jimmy Butler

PF Kevin Love

C Bam Adebayo

PPG: J. Tatum (30.1)

APG: M. Smart (6.3)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.8)

PPG: J. Butler (22.9)

APG: J. Butler (5.3)

Reb/G: B. Adebayo (9.2)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (1st season)

Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra (15th season)