Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Prediction: Can Celtics Get Ahead in ECF at Home?
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Prediction: Can Celtics Get Ahead in ECF at Home?
The Boston Celtics have outplayed the Miami Heat in seven of eight quarters to start the Eastern Conference Finals. However, in Game 1, the Celtics played so poorly in the third quarter, that the Heat eventually ended up defeating the Celtics in that game.
Meanwhile, in Game 2, the Celtics didn't allow the third quarter to change the outcome of the game and the Celtics ended up winning, 127-102.
With the win, the Celtics are now headed home with the series all tied up at one. If the Celtics can win their home games, they'll have the advantage the rest of the way. Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 Start Time and Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: May 21, 2022
- Game Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
Click Here for Heat vs Celtics Odds
Celtics vs. Heat Injury Report
Heat:
Questionable: G Kyle Lowry (Hamstring), P.J. Tucker (Knee)
Celtics
Questionable: G Derrick White (Personal)
Out: F Sam Hauser (Shoulder)
Heat vs. Celtics Game 3 Line Movement
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game 3 Prediction
When the Boston Celtics are making shots at a ridiculous pace, it's hard to stop them. That's what happened in Game 2, with Boston shooting 50% from downtown on 40 attempts.
On the road, the Celtics shot 51.2% from the field and ended up knocking down 91.3% of foul shots as well. Boston didn't just chuck up shots. The ball movement was terrific as the Celtics added 28 assists in that game.
Boston also turned the ball over just 10 times in the game and ended up losing the rebounding battle by one.
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On the other hand, the Miami Heat shot 44.2% from the field while hitting under 30% from downtown on 34 attempts. When the Heat forced turnovers, they scored at a consistent rate, but the Heat just couldn't force the Celtics into many mistakes, even on their home floor.
The Celtics didn't have Derrick White available in Game 2 but with Marcus Smart and Al Horford back in the lineup, the Celtics looked much more poised.
Jayson Tatum added a team-high 27 points while Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown both added 24 points in the win. Even Grant Williams added 19 points off the bench. This is what a good team looks like. You can't have one player performing and other players not stepping up.
You need your star to perform and then other guys to step up as well.
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The Heat, for example, saw 29 points out of Jimmy Butler. The next highest scorers on the Bulls were Gabe Vincent and Victor Oladipo, who both added just 14 points. The Celtics are so much deeper as a unit and should be ready to go at home.
For the Celtics, it's always going to come down to shooting percentage. If the Celtics are shooting well from the floor, they'll win. If not, they'll likely lose. But the Celtics have shown plenty of times in the playoffs that they're legitimately capable of these big nights more than just one time.
Take the Celtics at home.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game 3 Pick
- Celtics -6 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.