NBA Thursday May 19th Celtics at Heat Game 2 Betting Preview
Miami Up 1-0 in the Series
The Miami Heat have taken a 1-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics. Miami scored a 118-107 win on Tuesday night at FTX Arena as -4.5 favorites and will look for their 8th straight home win this postseason in the Celtics at Heat game 2 betting matchup.
Boston came out of the gate strong in the series opener but ultimately it was just too quick of a turnaround following their Game 7 win over Milwaukee on Sunday at TD Garden. The Celtics were also playing without Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart who had a foot injury as well as veteran big man Al Horford who landed on the health and safety protocols hours before Game 1. 59% of the betting public likes Boston +3 as both players are expected to return to the fold.
Celtics Great After Losses
Boston lost three games last round to the defending champion Bucks, but each time they bounced back in a big way. Following defeats the Celtics tallied a 109-86, a 116-108, and a 108-95 victory over Milwaukee. Two of those were on the road as well which is huge since Miami has been so good on their own court not only in the playoffs, but during the regular season when they were 29-12.
The Celtics have gone 4-0 ATS their last four following a SU loss, and getting adjusted to South Beach as well getting Smart back has to help their chances on Thursday night.
Of course there are also plenty of reasons to fade Boston in the Celtics at Heat Game 2 betting matchup. First off, the visitors got plenty of production on Tuesday night with Jayson Tatum scoring 29, Jaylen Brown adding 24, and Robert Williams III and Payton Pritchard both having their highest scoring games of the playoffs with 18 points each – and the C’s still lost by double digits.
Heat Facing a New Team
Miami took care of business on their own court on Tuesday night, but it was also a tough order for Boston who found out somewhat late that they were going to be missing two key players while also dealing with travel on a short turnaround after dealing with all the emotions after a Game 7 win on Sunday.
The Celtics should be in a much better headspace on Thursday night, but Miami also may have been a bit rusty in the series opener following a 4-day layoff after eliminating Philadelphia in six games. Somebody who was not rusty though was Jimmy Butler, who went for 41 points in the opener – the sixth time this postseason he had at least 32 points.
Tatum and Butler will essentially cancel each other out in Game 2 as they’ve both had thrilling playoffs. That means it’s going to be whoever steps up for either team that is ultimately the x-factor. Tyler Herro had 18 points in game one with Gabe Vincent adding 17 and Max Strus 11, but how much will that back court play be held in check with Smart’s return?
Free Celtics at Heat Game 2 Betting Pick
Boston has been great at making adjustments after losses, but their biggest change on Thursday night is going to be the addition of Smart and Horford. That is two big insertions into the lineup both in terms of gameplay as well as an emotional boost. Have to go Boston to tie things up here.
Free Pick: Celtics +3
