The Miami Heat (44-38, 27-14 home) look to extend their series lead to 3-0 against the Boston Celtics (57-25, 25-16 away) in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami took the first two games from the Celtics in Boston, winning Game 1, 123-116, and Game 2, 111-105.
Sunday’s contest tips off at 8:30 p.m. EST inside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Boston is a 3.5-point betting favorite, and the over/under total is 213.5 points.
What to know – Boston Celtics
Boston surprisingly couldn’t get it done at home during the first two games of the series and now have to fight back in South Beach if they want a shot at the NBA title. The Celtics are trying to advance to the NBA Finals for the second season in a row.
Offensively, the Celtics have scored 114.9 points per game thanks to shooting 48.8% from the field and 38.6% from the 3-point line. Boston’s defense is surrendering 109.5 ppg, 45.0% shooting from the floor, and 36.2% from deep.
Just like during the regular season, the Celtics have gotten this far, thanks to the play of offensive standouts Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum comes into the Game 3 matchup averaging 28.7 ppg during the playoffs, while Brown adds 23.9 ppg. Marcus Smart (15.1 ppg), Malcolm Brogdon (14.9 ppg), and Derrick White (12.6 ppg) supply additional scoring options for the Celtics.
The Celtics are 53-43-1 against the spread, while Boston owns a 25-21-1 ATS on the road. Boston is just 1-4 ATS over their last five games against the Miami Heat.
What to Know – Miami Heat
The team chemistry between the Heat is unmatched, and the cohesiveness has them on the verge of returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020. Miami has yet to lose at home during the postseason, owning a perfect 5-0 mark.
Miami’s offense is scoring 113.8 ppg while connecting on 47.3% of their attempts from the floor and 37.6% from beyond the arc. The defense of the Heat is holding opponents to 109.1 ppg, 46.1% shooting from the field, and 33.5% from three.
The offense runs through the play of star Jimmy Butler. Butler comes in averaging 31.1 ppg and has led the Heat in scoring in every game he’s suited up in during the postseason. If the ball isn’t in the hands of Butler, Bam Adebayo is next in line scoring 18.5 ppg.
Miami has a 41-53-3 record ATS this season and a home mark of 19-27-2. On defense, the Heat are 9-2 ATS over their previous 11 games.
The Pick is In
Boston is on tilt as the Celtics failed to defend their home court and now find themselves in a two-game hole. The no. 2 see in the East finds a spark in Game 3 and gets a win on the board over the Cinderella Story of the eighth-seeded Heat.
The Pick: Boston Celtics -3.5
