Celtics vs. Heat Game 1 Prediction
Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals will take place on Tuesday night when the Heat host the Celtics at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Is Boston a great option for bettors as slight road underdogs tonight?
Game Snapshot
535 Boston Celtics (+2) at 536 Miami Heat (-2); o/u 204
7:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Venue: FTX Arena, Miami, FL
TV: ESPN
Boston Celtics DFS Notes
Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) will be listed as questionable for Game 1 against the Heat on Tuesday, according to head coach Ime Udoka. Udoka described the foot sprain as “pretty tender and sore right now”. There remains optimism that he’ll be able to play, though he’ll be listed as questionable. If he can’t play, Derrick White would likely slide into the starting rotation, with Payton Pritchard also playing a large role off the bench. Neither would provide what Smart does, but White is a very solid option as a backup defender, and Pritchard proved he can hit triples in bunches.
Miami Heat DFS Notes
Jimmy Butler posted 32 points, eight boards, four dimes, two swats and a steal as the Heat closed out the 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday. Butler put on a masterclass in the second half, going for 23 points, five boards and four dimes as the Heat pulled past the 76ers to deliver the knockout blow and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons. Butler scored at least 30 points in three of the final four games of the series and has hit the total five times in the postseason, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo (6) for league lead. They call him Jimmy Buckets for a reason, folks.
Celtics vs. Heat Game 1 NBA Playoffs Betting Prediction
The Celtics have covered 13 of their last 19 games against the Heat in Miami, are 7-0-1 at the window in their last eight games as a road underdog and are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five playoff games when listed as the betting dog. Boston is also 10-3-1 against the spread in its last 14 games coming off a win, is 16-5-2 against the number in its last 23 games as an underdog and 19-6-1 ATS in its last 26 road games.
NBA PLAYOFFS BETTING PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS +2