Tag: Boston Celtics

The 2020 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals goes on Wednesday night with Game 4 between the third-seeded Boston Celtics and fourth-seeded Miami Heat. 

The Heat have a 2-1 lead, as the teams return to the floor following a three-day rest. The Celtics cut the deficit this past Saturday and will be keen to remain on the winning path, so Wednesday’s showdown in the NBA bubble will be super exciting to watch.  

We bring you all the tips and trends for Game 4 between the Celtics and Heat along with the latest odds update and our top betting pick, so let’s take a closer look. 

The Line

The Celtics are 3-point favorites on BetDSI. You can take them at -155 moneyline odds, too, while the Heat are +135 dogs to win straight up. The totals are set at 210.5 points on BetOnline. 

Injuries/Suspensions

The Heat are coming in full strength, while the Celtics will only miss Vincent Poirier, who’s been out of the bubble (and the Celtics’ rotation) for a while. 

What’s at Stake?

This is a huge game for both clubs. After this one, we can either have a tied series, or the Heat will be a step away from the NBA Finals. 

The Spot

The Celtics were down 2-0 after blowing a double-digit lead in each of the first two games of the series. They bounced back in Game 3 and comfortably defeated Miami 117-106, so the Celtics’ morale is at a much better place right now than it was a few days ago. 

The Heat, on the other side, suffered their second loss this postseason. They’ve been playing very well lately and shouldn’t be shaken too much. 

The Matchup

The Celtics were furious following a 106-101 defeat in Game 2. They had a brawl in the locker room, too, but it was obviously a positive one, as the Celtics put on a strong performance in Game 3. 

Boston never trailed last Saturday while leading by as many as 20 points. The Celtics were aggressive on both sides of the ball, but staying focused for all 48 minutes was a key factor for Brad Stevens’ team. 

They controlled the glass, grabbing 40 defensive rebounds while limiting the Heat on just 38.8% shooting from the field. The Celtics hit just nine triples out of 26 attempts (34.6), but the Heat made only 12 of their 44 3-point attempts (27.3%). 

Brad Stevens decided to lean heavily on six guys including Gordon Hayward, as the 30-year-old versatile forward returned from an ankle injury. Hayward played 31 minutes and finished the game with six points, five boards, four assists, and three steals. 

Gordon’s return will be a huge boost for the Celtics. Now, they can match up perfectly with the Heat, but guarding Bam Adebayo remains an issue. Bam was unstoppable in Game 3, accounting for 27 points and 16 boards while shooting 10-for-14 from the field. 

The Bets

I think the Celtics are ready to make the 2020 NBA Eastern Conference Finals very exciting after a couple of losses to start the series. Their defense was terrific in Game 3, and the Celtics just need to stay focused offensively. 

Still, I expect to see a much better display by the Heat on Wednesday. They are a hard-working team capable of playing excellent defense, so taking the under on the totals might be the right move. The under has hit in eight of Miami’s last 13 games and nine of Boston’s previous 12 contests. 

I would avoid the spread and bet on moneyline odds instead. As I’ve said, this should be a tight clash decided by a few points, so I’m taking the Celtics to win straight up at -155. 

The 2020 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals tip off Tuesday, September 15, as the fourth-seeded Miami Heat, take on the third-seeded Boston Celtics in the bubble. Of course, there’s no home-court advantage and fans on the stands, but we’re about to see one of the most interesting playoff series in the last few years.

Both Miami and Boston upset the odds in the semis, showing some impressive displays, especially the Heat. They meet each other in the playoffs for the first time since 2012 when the Heat beat the Celtics in the conference finals in seven games.

Hereof, we have prepared all need-to-know betting tips and trends for the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Boston along with the latest odds update and our betting predictions.

Injuries/Suspensions

The Heat are coming in full strength, while the Celtics have some problems. Gordon Hayward is still recovering from an ankle injury, and the Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said that the 30-year-forward should return at some point the conference finals.

Hayward will certainly miss the opener Tuesday, and we’ll call him questionable for Game 2.

The Line

The No. 3 Celtics are -132 favorites to win the Eastern Conference title on MyBookie, while the Heat are listed at +112 odds to reach the 2020 NBA Finals on BetOnline.

Boston has dominated Miami over the previous few years, winning 13 of their last 17 encounters, so the bookies expect this trend to continue. I think the bookies have underestimated the Heat who have been terrific in the previous two rounds.

What’s at Stake?

The Heat are searching for their first NBA Finals since 2014 when they were beaten by Tim Duncan and the Spurs in five games. On the other side, the Celtics haven’t been in the NBA Finals since 2010 and a loss to the Lakers in seven games.

Interestingly, the Celtics have been defeated in the conference finals three times over the last eight years.

The Spot

Miami is 8-1 SU and ATS on the postseason. The Heat swept the Pacers in the first round and stunned the top-seeded Bucks in the second round, so their confidence must be sky-high.

Boston swept the 76ers in the first round, but the Celtics had to play seven games against the Toronto Raptors in the semifinals, so they could struggle with fatigue. The Celtics eliminated the reigning champs playing without Gordon Hayward, and there will be some tired legs, for sure.

The Matchup

The Celtics went small against Toronto, as Marcus Smart replaced Hayward in the starting lineup, joining Kemba Walker in the backcourt. The Heat love to play small-ball, too, with Jae Crowder at four, while Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler both can help on the low post.

This should be a proper defensive battle between two teams that match each other very well. They both like to play at a slower pace, averaging just over 96 possessions per 48 minutes.

The Celtics have the best defensive ratings this postseason, allowing just 102.0 points per 100 possessions, while the Heat are fourth with 106.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. Boston leads the way in the opponent field goal percentage (40.5%) and 3-point percentage (30.5%). Miami is sixth in opponent FG% (44.5%) and fifth in opponent 3P% (34.8%).

On the other side of the ball, the Heat are tallying 114.9 points per 100 possessions on 46.1% shooting from the field and 38.0% from beyond the arc. The Celtics are scoring 109.8 points per 100 possessions on 45.0% shooting from the field and 34.1% from downtown.

The defense will be a key factor, no doubt, but whoever wants to win the series will have to find a way to execute offensively. Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum will guard each other for most of the time, but, as I’ve said, both teams possess excellent defensive awareness and are capable of switching everything.

The Celtics need to slow down Goran Dragic, as the 34-year-old Slovenian is averaging 21.1 points and 4.7 assists this postseason. Duncan Robinson is a lethal 3-point shooter and could an X-factor for the Heat in this matchup, while the Celtics hope to see more from centers, Daniel Theis and Robert Williams.

The Bets

Boston is 13-4 straight up in its last 17 games against Miami, but the Heat are 8-4 ATS in their previous 12 encounters with the Celtics. When it comes to the postseason, the Heat are 8-4 SU and 7-5 ATS in their last 12 playoff matchups with the Celtics.

The under has hit in five of the last six encounters between Boston and Miami, and I suggest you keep it in mind when betting through the series. As I’ve mentioned, these are the best two defensive teams in the Eastern Conference over the last few four weeks.

I would dare to predict the winner, but this clash could easily go either way. Betting on exactly seven games at +200 perfectly makes sense, and I expect to see a nail-biting series. Both teams are led by great tacticians, but Erik Spoelstra has a couple of championships under his belt, so I’m taking the Heat.