Celtics vs Heat Betting Prediction and Odds May 27
Celtics vs Heat Predictions and Betting Preview
WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat preview for Friday, May 27. At the time of posting, the road Heat are a 8.5-point underdog against the home Celtics with the total sitting at 201.5 points.
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| Friday, May 27 | NBA Playoffs Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Boston Celtics -8.5 vs Miami Heat |
| Total: | 201.5 Points |
| Game Time: | 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT |
| Arena: | TD Garden in Boston, MA |
| TV: | ESPN |
Celtics vs Heat Analysis
The Miami Heat limp into TD Garden for a Game 6 showdown with the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The Celtics will be looking to close out the series after a dominating 93-80 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
The Heat will do everything possible to try and force a Game 7 back in Miami. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST/5:30 PST.
Heat Cling to Life
The Miami Heat have struggled to find consistency throughout this series and nothing changed in Game 5. Unlike the first four games of the series the first quarter and first half were actually competitive.
That was until the Celtics outscored them 32-16 in the third quarter and never looked back. The Heat were led by an 18 point 10 rebound double double by Bam Adebayo, while Gabe Vincent added 15 points off the bench.
However Jimmy Butler scored only 13 points while Kyle Lowry laid an egg with zero points. It was the second game in a row where Miami got zero first half points from their starting backcourt of Max Strus and Lowry.
Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent are both listed as questionable for tonight’s contest. It’s do or die for Miami, if they lose tonight a 53-29 record that earned them the #1 seed will fall by the wayside.
Celtics On Verge Of Another NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. In Game 5, they trailed by five points at halftime to go on an outscore Miami by 18 in the second half and ultimately win the game.
Jaylen Brown paced the team with 24 points, while Jayson Tatum added a 22 point 12 rebound double double. Al Horford has been incredible in this series and the post-season in general.
Defense, rebounding, scoring, leadership, you name it and Horford has contributed. This time it was a little bit of everything with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The Celtics have come this far while leaping every hurdle placed in front of them.
They don’t want to risk a Game 7 in Miami and besides that they don’t want to get as much rest as possible before the finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Celtics vs Heat Prediction
The Boston Celtics are favored by 8.5 with a total of 201.5. This is an elimination game for the Heat so most will expect an inspired effort. However, while they would never admit it, I think the Heat have checked out.
The Celtics defense has figured out how to shutdown the Heat offense without Herro on the floor. Over the last three games, the Heat have been held to only 90 points per game.
In the two games Herro has missed, Butler has scored a combined 19 points. Outside of turnovers, the Celtics have every statistical advantage in the series.
The Heat have not been able to take advantage while shooting only 40% from the field and 29% from long distance. This is a big spread that Boston has only covered once in the series. But I think we see Miami throw in the towel at the end, leading to a relatively easy Celtics cover.
Prediction: Boston Celtics -8.5
NBA Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his NBA Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Friday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Celtics vs Heat playoff contest.
NBA Tip-Off Show
Join Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of professional handicappers for the NBA Tip-Off Show every Monday-Friday at 4:15pm ET / 1:15pm PT as we discuss tonight’s marquee games. Stay up-to-date on the latest NBA news, stats, analysis, and predictions with our panel of pro sports bettors as they preview all the playoff action, including this Celtics vs Heat clash.
WagerTalk NBA Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the NBA point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all NBA Playoff games, including this Celtics vs Heat showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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