Heat vs. Celtics Game 1 Prediction
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals starts Tuesday night in the NBA bubble as the Heat take on the Celtics at 6:40 p.m. ET. With the Celtics listed as a small favorite and the total sitting at just 209.5, what’s the play for bettors?
Game Snapshot
731 Miami Heat (+1.5) at 732 Boston Celtics (-1.5); o/u 209.5
6:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs
Miami Heat DFS Spin
Jimmy Butler accounted for 17 points (4-of-6 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), 10 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one 3-pointer in Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee. The six field goal attempts are the fewest for Butler in a game during this postseason, but he took full advantage of the foul line in leading the Heat in points (tied with Goran Dragic). If there was an issue for Miami’s leader, especially early on, it was the turnover count as he was responsible for a team-high five on the night. Next up for Butler and the Heat will be either Boston or Toronto, and he’ll once again be asked to take on a starring role.
Boston Celtics DFS Spin
Gordon Hayward (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday’s Game 1 vs. Miami. He was previously listed as doubtful so this is no surprise. Hayward will likely need to go through a full practice before the Celtics give him the green light — he didn’t practice Monday but did go through a “hard workout” on the side. For now, the expectation is that he’ll return at some point in this series.
Heat vs. Celtics Game 1 Betting Prediction
The over is 12-5 in the Heat’s last 17 games coming off an ATS win, is 25-11 in their last 36 games coming off a straight-up win and is 13-6 on their last 19 conference finals matchups. When you think of these two teams, especially the Heat, you think of defense. But this number is too low tonight. Jayson Tatum is in the midst of an outstanding postseason, scoring 21 points or more in five of the seven games in the Eastern Conference semis versus the Raptors. Granted, he’ll face a bigger challenge when he goes up against Butler tonight but I still see this one going over the total in Orlando.
NBA GAME 1 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS PREDICTIONS: HEAT/CELTICS OVER 209.5