Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics betting tips and predictions for Saturday’s NBA Playoffs game on TNT. Pressure is on Miami to close out the Celtics as the two teams meet for Game 6 with the Heat holding a 3-2 lead in the series. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Miami Heat
The last 2 games have been a disaster for Miami. On Thursday they got beat fairly easily 110-97 on the road and now with this being the final home game of the series the pressure is on them to finish off the Celtics. It sounds much easier than it really is. In Game 5 they were without Gabe Vincent due to a sprained ankle, his status is still unknown heading into this game.
Jimmy Butler had just 14 points on Thursday, but at the post game press-conference he reassured everyone the Heat would get the job done at home. In their last 8 games at Kaseya Center they are 7-1 SU, while in their last 14 games overall they’ve covered the spread 10 times. This is the biggest challenge Miami has faced all postseason, some people are saying there is no way they are winning Game 7 in Boston if they lose here.
Boston Celtics
A total of 4 starters went over 20 points in Game 5, as the Celtics shot over 50% from the field and knocked down 16 threes in the win. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will be happy with the effort his guys put in, especially Jayson Tatum who had 21 points and 11 assists getting his teammates involved. When the Celtics play like this they are really hard to beat, so the question heading into Game 6 is – did they wake up too late?
This team has thrived under pressure this postseason. In their last 4 elimination games they’ve won by 9, 24, 17 and 13 points. Let’s not forget, they’ve already turned around one 3-2 deficit and that was against the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round. The oddsmakers have them as 2.5 point favorites for Game 6, this team has triumphed in 7 of their last 8 games played on a Saturday. In their last 6 games on that day played on the road they are 5-1 SU.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I got Boston pulling this out and forcing a Game 7. This has been a rollercoaster series so far, we are yet to have a game in which both teams play well. But even if that happens in Game 6, I still favor Boston as they are just the more complete team and Miami has a ton of injury issues. Celtics to cover.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Predictions & Odds
When the Celtics are at their best it’s because of their defense and the last 2 games of this series prove that hypothesis. Miami failed to crack the 100 point mark in both of those games, no Gabe Vincent would be a big deal for them as he has elevated his game tremendously in this postseason run.
Game 6 will have the lowest projected total in the series so far at just 211 points, with the Celtics heating up from three-point land I’m leaning towards the over a bit more here. That bet has landed 11 times in the last 16 Celtics games and in 11 of their last 14 on the road. Miami’s last 4 of 6 games played on a Saturday have all cashed on the over, plus 11 of their last 16 games overall did as well. Gabe Vincent should be able to suit up here, so I’ll take the points.
