The 2022 NBA Playoffs betting action goes on with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so we bring you the best Celtics vs. Heat betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and odds update on Bookmaker Sportsbook. 

Miami beat Boston 118-107 as a 4.5-point home fave in Game 1 this past Tuesday. The Heat open as 4-point home favorites for Thursday’s clash, while the Celtics are listed as +155 moneyline underdogs with a total of 207.5 points. 

The Celtics missed Horford and Smart in the opener          

The Boston Celtics were without Al Horford (medical protocols) and Marcus Smart (foot) last Tuesday. It was a huge blow, as both Horford and Smart have done a great job for the Celtics through the previous two rounds. 

Horford is a key guy in Boston’s frontcourt, while Smarts’ presence would’ve helped the Celtics to slow down Jimmy Butler, who finished Game 1 with 41 points. Boston had an eight-point lead at halftime, but the Celtics scored only 14 points in the third quarter. 

Jayson Tatum led the charge for the Celtics with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals, but he also committed seven turnovers. Jaylen Brown posted a double-double of 24 points and ten rebounds, while Robert Williams and Payton Pritchard accounted for 18 points apiece. The Celtics shot 45.6% from the field and 32.4% from downtown (11-for-34). 

The Heat took the first blood on the back of a huge third quarter 

After trailing 62-54 at halftime this past Tuesday, the Miami Heat outscored the Boston Celtics 39-14 in the third quarter. Jimmy Butler tallied 27 of his 41 points in the second half, and the Heat easily covered a 4.5-point spread. 

Butler went 12-for-19 from the field and 17-for-18 from the charity stripe. Tyler Herro added 18 points and eight boards off the bench, while Gabe Vincent had 17 points and three blocks. 

The Heat made 48.8% of their field goals and 33.3% of their 3-pointers (10-for-30). They handed out only 18 assists, but the Heat played terrific defense in the third quarter, allowing the Celtics to make only two of their 15 field-goal attempts in that period. 

Trends:

Boston:

  • 2-4 ATS in the last six games against Miami 

Miami:

  • 14-5 ATS in the last 19 games overall 
  • 5-2 ATS in the last seven games played in May  

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Pick 

The Heat are without Kyle Lowry (hamstring), but his absence wasn’t a big deal in the opening clash of the series. On the other side, Al Horford’s and Marcus Smart’s absence was a big problem for the Celtics on both sides of the ball. 

Horford is still in the medical protocols and should remain on the shelf Thursday. Smart is questionable to play, so I’m backing the Heat to win and cover. Without those two guys, the Celtics will struggle to defend, and their D has been their biggest strength through the first two rounds of the postseason. 

Pick: Take Miami Heat -4.5 at -110   

The Total:

I was expecting to see a low-scoring affair last Tuesday, but the short-handed Celtics didn’t play well on the defensive end. The teams recorded 98 possessions each, so it’s not strange that we saw 225 points on the scoreboard. 

The Celtics have to slow down things and try to be more aggressive defensive-wise or they’ll suffer another loss. Hereof, I lean toward the under, but it’s a tricky wager given the Celtics’ selection problems. 

Pick: Go under 207.5 points at -110