Miami Continues to Burn Bright | Celtics vs Heat | OSB
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat: Conference Finals Game 3 Prediction, Player Props, and Betting Tips
Sam Batz
The NBA Playoffs continue on Sunday, May 21st with a highly anticipated Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 matchup between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics (8:30 PM EST, TNT). Miami holds a commanding 2-0 lead over Boston after stealing both Games 1 and 2 on the road. Boston was heavily favored entering the Conference Finals, but are reeling after dropping back-to-back games at home against the underdogs. Miami is having a postseason to remember, and could become the 2nd 8-seed to ever reach the NBA Finals, but they know there’s still a lot of work to do. This was supposed to be Boston’s year, and they won’t take a 0-2 deficit lightly, making Game 3 a must-watch matchup.
The Boston Celtics (-3; ML -150)
The Boston Celtics are the latest team to learn that the Miami Heat are not your typical 8-seed. Down 0-2, Boston looked shell shocked after Miami came into town and stole both Games 1 and 2 out from under the Celtics. Boston was out rebounded 35 to 45 and lost the turnover battle 15 to 10. They matched Miami with 48 points in the paint each, but the Celtics gave up 36 4th quarter points to the Heat, and only scored 22 points themselves. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 34 points, but no one else on the team recorded 20+ points, and the Celtics 4th quarter meltdown cost them dearly. Game 3 is a must-win for Boston, but they must find a way to stop Miami at home, or they risk being swept.
The Miami Heat (+3; ML +125)
In 1999, the New York Knicks made history as the first 8-seed to reach the NBA Finals. Now, 24-years later, the Miami Heat are just two wins away from repeating that incredible feat. Miami is playing the best basketball I’ve seen all year, and I feel bad for anyone who thinks they can slow them down. Jimmy Butler is having an historically good postseason, and while he is certainly the fire fueling the Heat, Miami’s role players have stepped-up in a big way to provide support. They face a tough-test in Game 3, as Boston will come out with a vengeance looking to avoid the dreaded 0-3 deficit, but if Miami can stay calm and play their game, they could be looking at a clean sweep against the No. 2 seed in the East.
Celtics vs. Heat: Game 3 Odds
Team | Current Spread | Current Total | Opening Moneyline |
Boston Celtics | -3 (-110) | Ov 214 (-110) | -150 |
Miami Heat | +3 (-110) | Un 214 (-110) | +125 |
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Celtics vs. Heat: Postseason Stats
Boston Celtics (2) 114.9 109.5 48.8% 38.6% 42.7 12.4 117.6 112.3 4-5 (44.4%) 4-2 (66.7%) | Stat Type Points/Game Opponent Points/Game Field Goal % Three-Point % Rebounds/Game Turnovers/Game Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Home Record (Win-Rate) Away Record (Win-Rate) | Miami Heat (8) 113.8 109.1 47.3% 37.6% 41.1 12.5 116.5 111.6 5-0 (100.0%) 5-3 (62.5%) |
Celtics vs. Heat: Postseason Betting Trends
Boston Celtics
- 8-7 ATS in the postseason
- 4-2 ATS on the ROAD in the postseason
- 10-5 O/U record in the postseason
- 8-6 as FAVORITES in the postseason
- 4-1 as FAVORITES on the ROAD in the postseason
Miami Heat
- 10-3 ATS in the postseason
- 4-1 ATS at HOME in the postseason
- 9-3-1 O/U record in the postseason
- 7-3 as UNDERDOGS in the postseason
- 2-0 as UNDERDOGS at HOME in the postseason
Celtics vs. Heat: Bold Player Prop
Caleb Martin (Heat Small Forward): Over 1.5 3-Points Made (-120)
Caleb Martin had an explosive performance in Game 2, recording a postseason-high of 25 points off of 68.8% shooting from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. Martin has hit 3 out of 7 3-point attempts in back-to-back games against Boston. He has sunk more than one 3-point shot in 8 of Miami’s 13 postseason games, which equates to a 61.5% chance that Martin will bury more than 1 Three on Sunday. After his impressive performance in Game 2, Martin will certainly have the green light to launch it from deep, and I predict he will go over 1.5 3-pointers made in Game 3.
Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 Prediction
Take Boston to win Game 3 and avoid the 0-3 deficit. It’s a must-win game for Boston and they are too good to go down 0-3 in the series. The Celtics are 4-2 (66.7%) on the road, and are facing a Heat squad who have yet to lose at home, but I expect Boston to hand Miami their first home loss of the postseason. The Celtics are no longer the favorites to win the NBA Championship, but with their talent and experience, I can’t imagine they would go down 3 games to Miami. The Heat have been grossly undervalued all tournament, and they are certainly capable of another upset, but in a crucial Game 3, I have to go with Boston.
Prediction: Boston Celtics Moneyline (-150)
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