Celtics vs. Heat Game 2 Prediction
The Celtics will look to even their best-of-seven series with the Heat on Thursday night in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Will tonight’s game also turn high-scoring?
Game Snapshot
543 Milwaukee Bucks (+3.5) at 544 Boston Celtics (-3.5); o/u 207.5
8:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 19, 2022
Venue: FTX Arena, Miami, FL
TV: ESPN
Boston Celtics DFS Notes
Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) has been upgraded to probable for Game 2 against the Heat on Thursday. Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports last reported that Smart was aiming for a return for Game 2, but the Celtics’ injury report seems even more optimistic than that. Jayson Tatum was held to just one made field goal in the second half of Game 1, likely due to all the pressure from missing two of his usual starters, so Smart being that out there could really help on both ends of the floor. If Smart does indeed play, Derrick White will move back to the bench, where hopefully he can do better than the measly three points he produced in Game 1. Smart being available would also mean Payton Pritchard won’t play 30 minutes again, or close to it, making him a far less attractive DFS target tomorrow. Al Horford still remains doubtful to play due to entering health and safety protocols on Tuesday.
Miami Heat DFS Notes
Jimmy Butler hit 12-of-19 shots and 17-of-18 free throws for a game-high 41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, three blocks and just two turnovers in Tuesday’s 118-107 Game 1 win over the Celtics. The Heat were down as much as 13 points and trailed at the half 62-54. Then the Heat went on a 22-2 run to start the third quarter and forced Jayson Tatum into six third-quarter turnovers to take a commanding lead after taking the quarter 39-14. The Celtics were able to hang around but the game was never really in doubt after Miami’s third-quarter dominance. Game 2 is Thursday around 8:45 p.m. as the Heat will look to take a 2-0 lead at home. This was Butler’s third 40-point game of these playoffs and it’s just too bad that he’s not this reliable during the regular season, at least for fantasy purposes.
Celtics vs. Heat Game 2 NBA Playoffs Betting Prediction
The over is now 23-11-1 in the last 35 meetings between these two teams in Miami and is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings overall. The over is also 5-0 in the Celtics’ last five Conference Finals games and is 8-2 in their last 10 games versus a team with a winning straight up record. On the other side, the over is 19-7 in the Heat’s last 26 Conference Finals games and is 7-1 in their last eight games versus a team with a winning record.
NBA PLAYOFFS BETTING PREDICTION: CELTICS/HEAT OVER 207.5