Heat vs. Celtics Series Odds
(TheSpread) – The most intriguing second round series in the 2011 NBA Playoffs has to be the Miami Heat facing the Boston Celtics and that series gets started on Sunday.
Miami is the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and coming off a 5-game series win over Philadelphia while the Celtics are the No. 3 seed and the lone team to sweep in the first round, as they beat the New York Knicks.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com the Heat are the slight favorites to win the series with odds of -185, while the Celtics come in with odds of +155
Miami didn’t have much trouble with Philadelphia, as the Heat took a 3-0 lead in the series and finished things off in five. Miami won three of their games by single digits and had their lone loss come on the road by just four points. LeBron James led the team with 24.2 points per game.
Boston had more success on the road than it did at home, as their two wins at home came by a combined five points, while their road wins were by a total of 29 points. Boston was led in the series by Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each averaged 22 points.
During the season, these two faced off four times and Boston won three of the meetings. The Celtics had all their wins come by five points while the Heat pulled off a 23-point win at home in the last of the four meetings. The Heat were favored in all four games and they hit the under in three of the four meetings.
Trends show that Celtics are 9-3 against the point spread odds in their last 12 meetings in Miami while the Heat are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
In terms of injuries, Boston center Shaquille O’Neal is doubtful to play because of a calf injury while Miami forward Mike Miller is doubtful for the beginning of the series because of a thumb injury.
Odds to win 2011 NBA Playoffs Second Round Series – Celtics vs. Heat
Boston Celtics +155
Miami Heat -185
Celtics vs. Heat Series Schedule
Game 1 – Sun May 1, Boston at Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 2 – Tue May 3, Boston at Miami, TBD, TNT
Game 3 – Sat May 7, Miami at Boston, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4 – Mon May 9, Miami at Boston, TBD, TNT
Game 5 * Wed May 11, Boston at Miami, TBD, TNT
Game 6 * Fri May 13, Miami at Boston, TBD, ESPN
Game 7 * Mon May 16, Boston at Miami, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
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