The 2022 NBA Playoffs continue Saturday, May 21, with Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Boston, so we bring you the best Heat vs. Celtics betting pick along with the latest odds update on MyBookie Sportsbook. 

The series is tied after a couple of games at FTX Arena in Miami. The Heat head to TD Garden in Boston as 6-point underdogs, while the Celtics are listed as -255 moneyline favorites with a total of 208.0 points. 

The Heat fell apart in Game 2        

After a 118-107 victory in the opening game of the series, the Miami Heat suffered a heavy 127-102 defeat in Game 2 this past Thursday. They surrendered a whopping 70 first-half points, while on the other side of the ball, the Heat made only 44.2% of their field goals and 29.4% of their 3-pointers (10-for-34). 

Jimmy Butler dropped 41 points on the Celtics in Game 1. He had 29 points in 33 minutes on the floor last Thursday, but the rest of the team didn’t help a lot. Bam Adebayo finished with a paltry six points in 29 minutes, while Gabe Vincent and Victor Oladipo added 14 points apiece. 

Tyler Herro had 11 points and three assists in Game 2, finishing with the team-worst minus-33 net rating. Kyle Lowry sat out his fourth consecutive contest due to a hamstring injury, and the six-time All-Star is doubtful to play Saturday at TD Garde. P.J. Tucker suffered a knee contusion in Game 2 and is listed as questionable for Game 3. 

The Celtics hammered Miami, as Smart and Horford returned to the floor  

Both Marcus Smart (foot) and Al Horford (medical protocols) missed Game 1 in Miami. They returned last Thursday, showing how important their presence is to this Boston team. Smart was one rebound shy of a triple-double, amassing 24 points, 12 assists, nine boards, and three steals, while Al Horford went 4-for-4 from the field while playing excellent defense in 33 minutes on the floor. 

The Celtics shot 51.2% from the field and 50.0% from downtown (20-for-40) while handing out 28 assists and committing just ten turnovers. Jayson Tatum accounted for 27 points and five assists, and Jaylen Brown added 24 points and eight boards. 

Boston led by as many as 34 points. The Celtics made nine triples in the first quarter and were up by 25 points at halftime. Derrick White missed Game 2 due to personal reasons and should be ready to go Saturday.  

Trends:

Miami:

  • 4-7 ATS in the last 11 playoff games against Boston on the road 

Boston:

  • 13-4 ATS in the last 17 games overall 
  • 6-2 ATS in the last eight games played in May   

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Pick 

I got burned on the Heat in Game 2, expecting both Al Horford and Marcus Smart to remain on the shelf. With this duo on the court, the Celtics are a completely different team, so I’m not surprised by that heavy victory. 

Miami will certainly improve following a lousy display in the previous clash, but I’m backing the Celtics this time around, although a six-point spread is a tricky one. With Smart and Horford in the lineup, the Celtics have plenty of scoring options, while their defense is arguably the best in the league. 

Pick: Take Boston Celtics at -110   

The Total:

The first two contests have gone over the total, so the over is now 6-0 in the last six encounters between Miami and Boston, and it is 13-2 in their previous 15 meetings. I will ride this betting trend, although both teams are capable of playing tough defense. 

Only one of the last eight contests between the Heat and Celtics have produced fewer than 221 points in the total. The under is 9-4 in Miami’s last 13 games overall, while the over is 4-2 in Boston’s previous six. 

Pick: Go over 208.0 points at -110