The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics match up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night. Power by 41 points from Jimmy Butler, Miami picked up a 118-107 win in Game 1, taking early control of this 2022 NBA playoff series. The Celtics will look to even the series 1-1 before heading back to TD Garden. Boston won two of the three games played during the regular season. Kyle Lowry (hamstring) remains out for Miami. Marcus Smart (foot) is probable for Boston and Derrick White (personal) is out. Al Horford (protocols) will be available for the Celtics.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET in Miami. Caesars Sportsbook lists Miami as the 3.5-point home favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Heat odds. The over-under for total points is set at 207. Before locking in any Heat vs. Celtics picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the conference finals round of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 87-59 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Heat, and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Heat vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Heat spread: Miami -3.5
- Celtics vs. Heat over-under: 207 points
- Celtics vs. Heat money line: Miami -160, Boston +140
- Celtics vs. Heat tickets: See tickets at StubHub
- MIA: Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as favorites
- BOS: Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss
Why the Heat can cover
Center Bam Adebayo is a power player who possesses plenty of strength to bully opposing defenders in the paint. Adebayo has excellent length, good hands and knows how to position himself for easy looks or to snag boards. The Kentucky product is a solid leaper for alley-oops, putbacks, and blocks. The 2020 All-Star is averaging 14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and shoots 60 percent from the floor.
Guard Tyler Herro is a fantastic scoring outlet off the bench for Miami. Herro is extremely accurate from the perimeter with the ability to catch fire quickly. The 2019 first-round pick attacks the lane to keep defenses honest and nearly automatic from the free-throw line, shooting 92 percent. Herro is putting up 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. In Game 1, Herro logged 18 points, eight boards and three assists.
Why the Celtics can cover
Guard Jaylen Brown has exceptional athleticism and leaping ability to soar over any defender. Brown has great speed and quickness on the floor with an array of moves to beat his man. The 2021 All-Star rebounds the ball well and plays sound defense. Brown is averaging 22.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In the Game 1 loss, he tallied 24 points and 10 boards.
Forward Jayson Tatum is hard to defend and knows many different ways to get past his man. Tatum already has outstanding footwork with a game plan to constantly get a bucket. The Duke product is a solid rebounder and passer while spacing the floor with his smooth-looking jumper. Tatum leads the team in scoring (28.3) along with 5.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
How to make Heat vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 209 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Heat? And which side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Heat vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
