Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 5/17/23 – On Wednesday, the Miami Heat will travel to TD Garden and face the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat haven’t needed to be reminded that they are the underdog in this series – they have been one in each postseason series thus far – yet remain very much alive in both. Meanwhile, Boston pulled off an astonishing comeback in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, overturning a three-game deficit against Philadelphia and moving onto conference finals once more. Last season, Boston defeated Miami in seven games in the same round; they plan on doing it again this time around as the NBA betting splits favor them to win this game.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 8:30 PM ET
Location: TD Garden Boston, MA
TV: TNT
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 5/17/23 Betting Odds
Heat
Moneyline: +295
Spread: +8 (-107)
Total: 210.5 over (-113)
Celtics
Moneyline: -365
Spread: -8 (-113)
Total: 210.5 under (-107)
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Analysis
The Heat recently defeated the Knicks by 96-92. Jimmy Butler made an impactful contribution in this game, scoring 19 points on 5-12 shooting. Butler played 43 minutes and earned 7 boards. His field shooting percentage was 41.7% while he provided 9 assists.
Miami comes into this matchup having posted an overall record of 44-38 so far this season. They give up possession 13.5 times per game, and collectively commit 18.5 fouls each night. Miami is currently collecting 40.6 rebounds per contest and boasts 1,955 assists this season – ranking them 25th overall in terms of passing. The Heat are shooting 34.4% from beyond the perimeter and 83.1% from the charity stripe, respectively. They are averaging 109.5 points per outing while shooting 46.0% from the floor.
On defense, the Heat have generated 15.7 turnovers per game while collecting 20.0 personal fouls. They currently rank at 14th in the NBA for allowing opponents to accumulate assists, with 2,097 provided so far this season. The Heat are currently allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 48.2% and giving up 41.8 boards per game as an entire basketball team. They allow 36.7% of shots from beyond the arc while ranking second in terms of PPG allowed.
Last time out against the 76ers, the Celtics came away victorious by defeating them 112-88. Jayson Tatum emerges as an integral piece for the Boston Celtics in this matchup. Tatum scored 51 points over his 42 minutes of playing time and added five dimes during this matchup. He shot 60.7% from the field and secured 13 rebounds.
Boston boasts an overall record of 57-25. The Celtics commit an average of 18.8 personal fouls per game and convert an impressive 81.2% from the charity stripe. They assist teammates 26.7 times per game and turn it over 13.4 times per game. Boston has amassed 9,671 points this season and averages 45.3 boards per game. As an offensive unit, the Celtics are currently shooting 47.5% from the field – placing them 14th among NBA teams.
Boston is giving up 34.5% from 3-point range and opponents are making 76.9% of their free throw attempts. These teams rank 2nd and 18th for giving up an average of 23.1 assists and 44.0 rebounds on a nightly basis, respectively. The Celtics rank fifth in the NBA for points allowed per game with 111.4. They’ve managed to force 12.7 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to shoot 46.3% from the field.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Against the Spread
Miami are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami’s last 11 games. Miami are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami’s last 9 games on the road. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami’s last 10 games when playing on the road against Boston.
Boston are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston’s last 11 games. Boston are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games. Boston are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games at home. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston’s last 10 games when playing at home against Miami.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Free Pick
The Boston Celtics should enjoy home advantage for this matchup; but these teams know each other well as this will be their third playoff meeting over the past four years. According to NBA betting picks, the Celtics put forth an all-out effort and will defeat Miami with ease in this game. The Celtics looked really good on their home court and will cover the spread.
Free Pick: Boston Celtics -8 (-113)
