The Miami Heat try to complete an improbable sweep of the Eastern Conference finals when they host the Boston Celtics for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday night. Miami routed Boston on Sunday night to take a 3-0 lead in the series, putting it one step closer to a spot in the NBA Finals as the conference’s eighth seed.
Boston is looking to bounce back from the humiliating loss and keep the series and its hopes for a second straight NBA Finals appearance alive. This has been a surprising series thus far, so let’s take a look at Game 4 a little closer and help you make some winning Celtics vs. Heat picks.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Odds
Spread: Despite their 3-0 lead in the series, the Miami Heat are only slight favorites to win Game 4, giving 1.5 points to the visiting Boston Celtics. You can get -110 odds on either team you make your NBA predictions on in this bet.
Moneyline: If you’re making your Celtics vs Heat picks on the moneyline, you can get Miami at -120 or Boston at even odds for a straight-up win.
Over/Under: The over/under is set at 216½ points, with -110 odds on either side of that wager.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Information
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
Location of the game: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL.
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 23. 8:30 PM ET.
How to watch: TNT
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Betting Preview
Celtics Need To Show Some Pride
The NBA odds are stacked against a comeback from a 3-0 deficit no matter where the Boston Celtics standings finish was in the regular season. The second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs is on the brink of being shown the door by the eighth seed, and Boston needs to show a lot more fire than it has in previous NBA games, especially Game 3.
To have any chance at a win in this one, the Celtics have to get a big performance from their All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 26 points on 14-of-35 shooting in Game 3, including hitting just one of 14 3-point attempts. Both were near the top of the NBA player stats in scoring during the regular season, and they have to show that scoring prowess on Tuesday night.
Boston must also play better on the defensive end. The Celtics were among the NBA team stats leaders in points allowed in the regular season, but they’ve had trouble shutting down the Heat in this series.
Heat Just Keep Coming In Waves
Miami Heat games these days are the perfect example of team play, with anyone on the floor for the team capable of getting hot and carrying the team. The NBA schedule has played well for the team also, as they are deep, with a nine-man rotation that has multiple contributors at all times.
The biggest contributor is forward Jimmy Butler, who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals in just 31 minutes of playing time in the Game 3 blowout. His confidence carries the Heat, and he is usually the player they turn to in clutch situations.
Center Bam Adebayo has also played well in this series, and he had a pair of thunderous dunks that set the tone for Miami in Game 3. Adebayo needs to be a presence in the paint against a tall Boston front line, especially in Game 4, when the Celtics will be desperate to turn things around.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Betting Picks
Boston has shown very little life since blowing a second-half lead against Miami in Game 2 of this series, so it’s hard to go with it when making Celtics vs. Heat picks. Miami is playing with a lot of confidence right now and is overwhelming Boston with its defense and balanced offense.
- The Celtics will put up more of a fight in this one, but we like the Heat to complete the sweep.
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