Celtics vs Heat betting predictions for the Eastern Conference Finals
The NBA playoffs have been exciting and while we wait for the Western Conference to catch up, it’s time to break down the East. The Boston Celtics needed all seven games to remove the defending champion Toronto Raptors. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat quickly disposed of the Milwaukee Bucks and is waiting and ready. This is one of the most anticipated NBA matchups in a long time and it’s time for the Celtics vs Heat betting predictions.
NBA playoffs schedule and odds
The weary Celtics will get some much needed time off. This is important because while the Heat resting, Boston played 7 games to include a double-overtime event. The first game of the series will be on Tuesday night, but the time will depend on the outcome of the Nuggets vs Clippers series. After that, they will play a game every other day with the next game on Thursday followed by a Saturday game.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and Heat starts Tuesday at 630. Game 2 Thursday at TBD and Game 3 on Saturday at 830.
If the Nuggets force a Game 7 then Game 1 moves back 2 hours.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 12, 2020
Call it a coin toss
If you believe in reading the NBA odds to try and predict the outcome of a game, then you have every reason to believe that this will be a very close series. The Celtics are very small favorites in game one. The best place to bet on the NBA playoffs has the Celtics at -1.5. The odds for each team to win the series are equally as close. The Celtics are -130 to win the series and the Heat is +110 to win and advance to the NBA Finals.
Experience matters, even in the bubble
The Celtics are a very young team led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They are also very experienced when it comes to playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is the third trip in the last four years for this team and they will not be overwhelmed by the moment. Of course, the Miami Heat has their share of playoff experience as well which is yet another reason, why this will be the best series of the playoffs!
Minding the matchups
One reason that this series is going to be so electric is that the teams have similar positions, personnel, and an approach to the game. They both have stars in Tatum and Jimmy Butler who will be counted on to score in crunch time. Both teams have smaller yet more athletic big men in Daniel Theis and Bam Adebayo that will allow flexibility in the lineups and on the fast break.
Both teams also have deep benches and athletic play at the wing spot. Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala will team up to up against Tatum, Brown, and Marcus Smart.
Season series
The Celtics won two out of three games against the Heat this season. This includes a seeding game in Orlando, where the Celtics won 112-1063. The playoffs are different, however. Both teams have turned up the play on defense, especially the Celtics who saw six of the seven games that they played against Toronto, go under the betting total. The Celtics also believe that at some point Gordon Hayward will be back in the lineup for Boston.
Celtics vs Heat betting predictions
This is going to be an interesting mental matchup between two very talented coaches. Watching each coach play matchups and change defensive postures will make this game worth tuning into. The player I am going to watch is Marcus Smart. His defense and his hustle are second-to-none and he has a tendency to get under the skin of opposing players. This has the potential to be a back-and-forth series, but the coaching and the toughness belong to Boston. It won’t be an easy bet to win, but backing Boston to go to the NBA Finals is the way to go.