Boston Celtics at Miami Heat Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The series between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will begin tonight. Boston, fresh off their 4-3 series win over the Bucks, will now face a team with similar strengths.

One of the biggest differences, however, is that the Heat have a very strong defense. Boston will need to find ways to get creative on offense. However, Jayson Tatum should definitely have a better outing tonight.

With Miami being able to edge out the 76ers in the last series, they’re familiar with tough offenses. Tonight, the Miami Heat will have to face a tough offense and defense.

Unfortunately, they could be without some key players that would’ve given them a boost. Can the Miami Heat overcome these injuries and win tonight? Or are the Boston Celtics the better pick for Game 1?

Boston Celtics: Defense will be the difference-maker tonight

On its surface, you’d think this would turn into an offensive battle. However, if you look at what each of these teams is good at, you’ll see otherwise.

Throughout the regular season, the Celtics averaged 111.39 points per game. However, during the last series, their average dropped to 105.6 points per game. You can see just how important defense is by this statistic.

To take down the Heat, the Boston Celtics will need to play at their best. This means limiting open shots and securing the interior. Bam Adebayo is one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

He leads the Miami Heat in field-goal percentage (55.7%) and averages 19.1 points per game. Along with Jimmy Butler, the Heat could give the Celtics a lot of trouble on defense.

Miami Heat: Overcoming injuries is something familiar to the Heat

During the last series, the Miami Heat had to deal with plenty of injuries. To start the series against the Celtics, they’ll be without their starting point guard.

Kyle Lowry might not make a splash in terms of the media, but he’s good at what he does. He leads the team in assists per game at 7.5 while averaging 13.4 points per game. He also takes attention away from Butler.

The good news for the Heat is they have players such as Tyler Herro who can step up. Herro leads the team in points per game at 20.7 and will be a vital part of this series.

The Heat need to find ways to get Herro the ball and open shot opportunities. If Miami can do that, they should be able to hold off the Celtics until Lowry is healthy. It all starts with a Game 1 victory.

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat Betting Pick

When looking at each of these teams, you know this game is going to go under.

The Celtics and the Heat each have one of the best defenses in the NBA. Because of this, we’ll definitely take the under tonight. Now, we have to take a look at the spread for tonight’s game.

The Boston Celtics are two-point underdogs here, which just isn’t enough. With the Heat at home and the momentum from their series win over the 76ers, we’ll go with Miami. Look for Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro to both have a big game tonight.

DunkelIndex Free Pick: Miami Heat -2, UNDER

Prop Picks

Boston (-115) UNDER 101.5 Points

Miami is allowing 105.6 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 4 in the league, while holding teams to 33.9 percent from 3-point range, which ranks No. 2. Scores have gone UNDER in nine of Miami’s last 11 games overall.

With Dunkel predicting a Miami victory by the score of 105-96, take the Celtics (-115) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 101.5 points against the Heat.

Victor Oladipo (-120) UNDER 10.5 Points

Oladipo averaged 12.4 points per game in 8 games during the regular season, which ranked No. 5 on the Heat. That average decreased to 9.8 points per game during Miami wins and 6.3 points per game at home.

With Dunkel predicting a Miami home win with the point total staying UNDER the Vegas total, take Oladipo (-120) to finish UNDER his Vegas point total of 10.5 points against Boston.

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