The NBA Playoffs betting action goes on Monday, May 23, 2022, with Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Boston, so we have prepared the best Heat vs. Celtics betting pick along with the latest odds update on BetDSI Sportsbook.   

The Heat upset the Celtics as 5.5-point road dogs in Game 3 to grab a 2-1 lead in this series. Miami opens as a 6.5-point underdog for Monday’s clash, while the Celtics are listed as -275 moneyline favorites with a total of 208.5 points. 

The Heat overcame Jimmy Butler’s injury        

The Miami Heat jumped to a 26-point first-half lead in Game 3 and nearly blew it down the stretch. Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the second half due to a knee injury, so Bam Adebayo led the charge for the Heat, finishing with 31 points, ten rebounds, six assists, and four steals. 

Kyle Lowry returned from a hamstring injury and added 11 points, six dimes, and four thefts. P.J. Tucker accounted for 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Max Strus had 16 points. The Heat recorded a whopping 19 steals and turned the ball over only nine times. 

Playing aggressive defense was a key factor for the Heat, who had to overcome the absence of their best player. Butler is dealing with right knee inflammation, and there’s a decent chance he’ll take the floor Monday at TD Garden.   

The Celtics disappointed their fans in Game 3  

After a 127-102 thrashing of the Heat in Game 2 on the road, the Boston Celtics put on a lousy performance in front of the home fans and fully deserved their loss. They rallied from a massive deficit and made it a one-point game with 2:40 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics failed to take full advantage of Jimmy Butler’s injury. 

Boston couldn’t deal with Bam Adebayo, who went 15-for-22 from the field. Also, the Celtics committed a thumping 22 turnovers and tallied only 34 points in the paint. Jaylen Brown led the way with 40 points and nine rebounds, while Al Horford posted a line of 20 points, 14 boards, three assists, and three blocks. 

Jayson Tatum had an awful day in the office, finishing with ten points on a 3-for-14 shooting from the field. The 24-year-old superstar made zero field goals in the second half. He also turned the ball over six times, while Brown had seven turnovers. 

Trends:

Miami:

  • N/A  

Boston:

  • 13-5ATS in the last 18 games overall 
  • 6-3 ATS in the last nine games played in May   

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Pick 

The Celtics trounced Miami in Game 2 and can play only better than they did last Saturday. I’m expecting Boston to make amends in front of the home audience and tie the series once more. Jayson Tatum should be fired up to prove his worth, while the Celtics’ D has to be way more aggressive this time around. 

Miami got Kyle Lowry back, but Jimmy Butler’s injury might be a problem in Game 4. We should see a tight battle, so if you’re fine with slightly lower wages, buy a few points on the Celtics.  

Pick: Take Boston Celtics -6.5 at -110   

The Total:

The total has gone over in each of the previous three contests of this series. Also, the over is 7-0 in the last seven meetings between Miami and Boston, so I would follow this betting trend in Saturday’s battle at TD Garden. 

Although both teams play good defense, eight of their previous nine dates have produced 212 or more points in the total. Over their previous three encounters, the Heat and Celtics were tallying 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes while combining for 231.6 points per 100 possessions. 

Pick: Go over 208.5 points at -110