The Miami Heat could be without multiple key starters when they face the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night in the 2022 NBA playoffs. Star forward Jimmy Butler (knee) and point guard Kyle Lowry (hamstring) are among the players listed as questionable on Miami's injury report, while Tyler Herro (groin) has been ruled out. Meanwhile, Boston has listed Jayson Tatum as probable with nerve impingement. These teams have alternated between wins and losses through the first three games of the series, with Miami taking a 2-1 lead in a 109-103 win on Saturday.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. Boston is listed as a seven-point favorite in the latest Heat vs. Celtics odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 206. 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 second week of the conference finals 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: Boston -7
- Celtics vs. Heat over-under: 206 points
- Celtics vs. Heat money line: Boston -320, Miami +250
- Celtics vs. Heat tickets: See tickets at StubHub
- MIA: The Heat have covered in four of their last five games
- BOS: The Celtics are 26-15-1 ATS this season against teams with win percentage of 55+
Why the Heat can cover
Miami might be dealing with some injuries, but its depth has been the deciding factor in its success this season. The Heat led the NBA in bench points during the regular season, averaging more than 40 per game. They have multiple players listed as questionable on the injury report, but it would be surprising if more than two of them missed Monday's game completely.
Boston does not exactly have a clean bill of health, either. Tatum, Marcus Smart (questionable, ankle) and Robert Williams III (questionable, knee) are all battling injuries, which does not bode well for a team that was fifth-worst in the NBA in bench points per game. The Heat have covered the spread at a 13-5-1 clip in their last 19 road games.
Why the Celtics can cover
Tatum struggled a bit in Game 3 and will look to bounce back in a big way. He is a smooth three-level scorer with an impressive array of moves. The three-time All-Star is instinctive and knows how to set his man up. Tatum also has solid court vision and finds the open man. He is averaging a team-high 26.9 points with 5.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Forward Grant Williams has a quality low post-game despite being 6-foot-6. Williams plays physically on the defensive end and will do the dirty work for Boston. The Tennessee product can also space the floor and knock down some 3-pointers. He is putting up 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and shoots 43 percent three. In Game 2, he had 19 points, four rebounds and went 2-for-2 from deep.
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 has all the value. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Heat? And which side of the spread has all the value? 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.
