Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview, Prediction: Can Jayson Tatum Lift Celtics to Game 5 Win?
The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat play a pivotal game tonight. Can Jayson Tatum lift the Celtics to a Game 5 win? Jason Readowitz answers.
Jason Radowitz - May 25, 2023, 10:40 AM EDT
5 minMiami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview, Prediction: Can Jayson Tatum Lift Celtics to Game 5 Win?
It hasn't happened in the NBA. But we've seen teams in other professional leagues blow a 3-0 lead.
The Celtics have all the momentum heading into Game 5. They'll be massive favorites at home and have a legitimate chance to force Game 6 against the Heat tonight.
The pressure is on the Heat. They don't want to face all the questions regarding a monumental choke job in Game 6 at home.
Will the Heat end things tonight?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for tonight's Eastern Conference Finals game between the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics.
Heat vs. Celtics Game 5 Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: May 25, 2023
- Game Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: TNT
Heat vs. Celtics Game 5 Odds
- Point Spread: Heat +8 (-110), Celtics -8 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 215.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Celtics (-305), Heat (+240)
Heat vs. Celtics Injury Report
Celtics
- Out: SF Danilo Gallinari (Knee)
Heat
- Out: SG Tyler Herro (Hand), SG Victor Oladipo (Knee)
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview - Game 5
The Boston Celtics finally shot above 50% against the Heat in Game 4. The Celtics hit 40% from downtown and added ten more assists than the Heat.
The Celtics also forced six more turnovers and held the Heat to 25% from downtown. Despite losing the rebounding battle, the Celtics earned six more shot attempts than the Heat in Game 4.
Boston kept the Heat away from earning many fastbreak points. But the Heat got to the foul line much more than the Celtics.
Again, the Celtics probably don't want to live and die with the three-ball. Jaylen Brown can't make a three per game for the Celtics right now. Boston should be more aggressive and assertive.
The Heat added 28 foul shot attempts, while the Celtics only got 18. Miami's also typically the better free-throw shooting team too.
However, you'd have to imagine, at home, the Celtics will play a little more aggressively and be prepared on their home floor. Shooting 50% on your home floor isn't out of the ordinary. Getting calls on your home floor is also not out of the ordinary.
Jayson Tatum needs some help. No other player on the Celtics added 20+ points. Brown has been struggling from the field. Meanwhile, Grant Williams scored more points than Marcus Smart and Al Horford off the bench. He's not always going to bang four threes, either. That's why the Celtics must take it to the rim. But the Boston coaching staff knows much more about what they're doing than I do. I'll trust them.
The Celtics played very well on Tuesday night to avoid a sweep. Boston acknowledged that if they got that one, Miami should watch out.
I agree. The pressure is on for Miami. I've got Boston winning by double digits at home.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Pick - Game 5
- Celtics -8 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NBA Odds
