Boston Celtics at Miami Heat Game 7 Betting Preview
Unfortunately, either the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat will have their season end after Sunday night’s Game 7 elimination contest. Both teams have proven to be worthy combatants this series, battling through injuries and winning on the road in very hostile environments.
Miami would seem to have an advantage being back at home for Game 7 as they are now 36-14 at FTX Arena this season. Two of those losses came in this series, though, when the Celtics took Game 2 127-102 and Game 5 93-80. Oddsmakers have pegged Boston as -2.5 favorites on Sunday night.
Boston Can Win in South Beach
The Celtics were in the driver’s seat after their Game 5 win, but they couldn’t seal the deal on Friday night, falling 111-103 back at TD Garden. Boston should take some solace in knowing they’ve already won two away games this series – as well as two in Milwaukee in the Conference Semifinals, but Game 7’s on the road also take on a whole extra level of pressure.
Some other good news for Boston is that they’ve felt the pressure of a Game 7 this series, easily dominating the Bucks 109-81 last round to eliminate the defending champs – but that was also at TD Garden.
The Celtics know what they need to do to advance to the Finals, get a good game from Jayson Tatum (24.8 ppg this series) and somehow, some way, stop Jimmy Butler. The latter has proven to be easier said than done.
Too Much Butler?
Butler’s performance in Game 6 can’t be labeled anything other than heroic. He put Miami on his back, facing elimination, erupting for 47 points while adding nine rebounds and eight assists. That was the second time Butler has gone for 40+ this series, but he needed that most recent performance after being held to 9.0 ppg in Games 3, 4, and 5.
The main strategy on Friday for the Heat was to get out of Butler’s way, but Kyle Lowry did have a nice night with 18 points and ten assists. Miami continues to be without Sixth Man of the Year award winner Tyler Herro, who has been out since Game 3 with a strained groin and remains questionable for Game 7.
Celtics/Heat Betting Prediction
The NBA has enjoyed a nice ratings renaissance these entire playoffs, do we really think they’re going to miss out on an NBA Finals that would feature one of the league’s most storied franchises (Boston) and one of its most recognizable stars (Golden State’s Steph Curry)?
Butler was superhuman on Friday night, but can we expect a repeat performance of that in Game 7? Miami is back at home, which should give them a boost, but while Butler is great, it seems that Boston just has the better depth.
One major advantage for Miami is that coach Erik Spoelstra has been here before multiple times, while the Celtics’ Ime Udoka is in a tough spot as a rookie.
Pick: Heat +2.5
