Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat 5/21/23 – On Sunday, basketball fans can look forward to an exhilarating matchup as the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics battle it out in Game 3 of their series. While Miami currently holds a 2-0 advantage, Boston will fight hard to make up ground and secure an important win. Here we explore statistical analysis for teams, key players, and relevant NBA betting trends and provide our picks to assist your betting decisions.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
Date & Time: Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 8:30 PM ET
Location: Kaseya Center in Miami, FL
TV: TNT
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat 5/21/23 Betting Odds
Celtics
Moneyline: -152
Spread: -3 (-112)
Total: 214.5 over (-108)
Heat
Moneyline: +132
Spread: +3 (-108)
Total: 214.5 under (-112)
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Analysis
The Boston Celtics are in an uphill battle after falling behind 2-0 in this series. Jayson Tatum shined brightest in Game 2, recording 34 points on 50.0% shooting with 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Tatum was impressive on offense but struggled defensively against Miami Heat, who shot 45.7 percent from the field. On offense, the Celtics converted 46.8% of their field goal attempts while only shooting 28.6% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must tighten up on defense to reverse their series deficit while taking advantage of any offensive opportunities they see.
Miami Heat has demonstrated their dominance thus far in this series thanks to outstanding performances from key players. Jimmy Butler made an outstanding showing in Game 2, scoring 27 points, collecting 8 rebounds, and providing 6 assists. Butler’s 48.0% field goal shooting contributed to the Heat’s 45.7% shooting from the field. As a team, the Heat notched 23 assists, 9 steals, and 45 rebounds – 11 offensive boards. Defensively, they allowed the Celtics to shoot 46.8% from the field while gathering 34 defensive rebounds. The Miami Heat’s solid defense has been one of the keys to their success, allowing only an average of 109.8 points per game – second among NBA teams.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Against the Spread
The Boston Celtics have struggled against the spread (ATS) in their last six games, going 2-4. The total score exceeded 10 of the Celtics’ last 13 games. The Celtics have a 2-4 straight-up (SU) record in their last six games. When facing the Miami Heat, the Celtics have been less successful against the spread, with a 1-4 ATS record in their last five meetings. The Celtics have also struggled with straight-up wins against the Heat, going 1-4 SU in their last five matchups. The score exceeded 10 of the Celtics’ last 12 games on the road.
Miami Heat:
The Miami Heat have been impressive against the spread, going 9-2 in their last 11 games. The total score has exceeded in 4 of the Heat’s last 5 games. The Heat have a strong record of 5-1 SU in their last six games. When facing the Boston Celtics, the Heat have succeeded against the spread, going 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings. Regarding straight-up wins, the Heat has been dominant against the Celtics, winning all six of their last six matchups at home. However, when playing at home against the Celtics, the Heat have struggled against the spread, with a 1-4 ATS record in their last five games.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Free Pick
We predict a closely contested game by analyzing both teams’ performances and statistical trends.
Moneyline: Heat +132
Consider placing a bet on the Miami Heat +132 for an intriguing value bet. Even with Boston’s strong performance at home, their two-game lead and recent form make the Heat an appealing bet to win outright.
Spread: Celtics -3 (-112)
Bet on the Boston Celtics to cover the spread -3 -112. These Celtics may find a way to pull out an upset win by more than 3 points at home and take full advantage of their home-court advantage.
Total: 214.5 over (-108)
Place a bet on the Total of over 214.5 points (-108). Both teams have shown impressive offensive prowess in this series, and previous games saw high-scoring trends.
Prediction: 112-208 Miami Heat wins.
Game 3 between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics promises to be intense. While the Heat hold a commanding lead of 2-0 in this series, the Celtics remain determined to pull an upset and secure a vital win on home court. Our analysis indicates that the Boston Celtics should cover the spread, while Miami Heat represents an interesting value pick on the money line. Given the high-scoring nature of the series, betting on it surpassing 214.5 points is an appealing option. Remember to gamble responsibly, and good luck with your NBA betting picks.
