Celtics vs. Heat Best Bets, Starting Lineups, Odds: NBA ECF Game 3, 5/21
The Boston Celtics are set to take a trip to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 PM ET. The Heat took Game 2 by a 111-105 margin on Friday, taking a relatively commanding 2-0 series lead over the Celtics as the series heads to Miami. Below, we’ll provide our Celtics vs. Heat best bets for Sunday and explain how you can earn $200 in bonus credits with Bet365 by betting $1 or more on Game 3.
Boston Celtics VS. Miami Heat PREDICTION: Miami Heat (+130) at Bet365 Sportsbook
If you’re ready to tail our Celtics vs. Heat best bets, hurry over to Bet365 and create an account by clicking on this link.
Projected Starters for Game 3 in Miami
Here are the projected starting lineups for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, barring any unforeseen injuries or developments:
Boston Celtics projected Game 3 starting lineup:
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Robert Williams III
C: Al Horford
Miami Heat projected Game 3 starting lineup:
PG: Gabe Vincent
SG: Max Strus
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Kevin Love
C: Bam Adebayo
With Miami boasting two solid big men in Love and Adebayo, the Celtics have turned to running a double-big starting lineup featuring Robert Williams III instead of Derrick White. White has been dealing with an ear injury he sustained earlier in the playoffs, though he may make a surprise appearance in the starting lineup at shooting guard if he’s able to go.
This would likely push Brown to SF and Tatum to PF. The Heat have been going with Gabe Vincent at point guard lately, and we think it’s unlikely that Kyle Lowry gets the start over him.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Predictions for Game 3
After the first two games in Boston, the Heat hold a commanding 2-0 series lead. Not many analysts predicted this outcome, particularly a 2-0 start for the Heat at the Garden; with home-court advantage gone for the Celtics, this Game 3 matchup is absolutely pivotal for their chances of advancing. With this in mind, expect to see two highly-motivated teams on Sunday night.
Game 2 saw the Celtics hold an eight-point lead entering the fourth quarter, only for the Heat to score 36 points in the final quarter for the victory. This mirrors Game 1, where the Celtics held a nine-point lead heading into the second half before the Heat exploded for 46 points in the third en route to a victory.
The Heat’s Game 2 win was sparked by superstar Jimmy Butler (27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), big man Bam Adebayo (22 points, 17 rebounds, 9 assists) and Caleb Martin (25 points, 4 rebounds) off the bench.
The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum (34 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists) and Jaylen Brown (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), though the offensive performance was disappointing overall. Starters Al Horford (2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) and Marcus Smart (7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) will need to be more effective in Game 3 for the Celtics to stand a chance.
While the must-win nature of Game 3 for the Celtics will lead many to back them, we don’t think that’s a smart play for Sunday. The Heat are currently listed as (+130) home underdogs, which we think is an immense value considering the outcomes of the last two games. If the Heat were able to mount second-half comebacks in both Game 1 and Game 2 while on the road, they should stand an even better chance at home; as a result, our main Celtics vs. Heat best bet is for the Heat to win outright and cash on their (+130) odds for those who tail.
If you agree with our analysis and want to tail our Celtics vs. Heat best bet, click this link to sign up with Bet365 Sportsbook. Once you register using the link provided, make a deposit of at least $10 and bet $1 or more on our Celtics vs. Heat best bets, you’ll earn $200 in bonus bet credits whether your bet wins or loses. No promo code is required, but you will need to sign up using a link from this article to ensure you qualify.
Game 3 Picks & NBA Best Bets for Celtics vs. Heat Featuring Jimmy Butler
Beyond the Heat’s money line odds, there are a few props that make the cut among our Celtics vs. Heat best bets. The first of these is an interesting, non-traditional prop that can pay off huge returns for backers: Bam Adebayo’s odds to make the game’s first basket, currently set at (+500) on Bet365. While these props are often difficult to predict, the (+500) odds are enticing enough to warrant a wager.
Adebayo typically handles tip-off duties for the Heat, who have won opening tips at a 52.6% rate this season (better than the Celtics’ 49.5% rate). Adebayo has taken 15.7% of the first shots in the 89 games he’s started – the highest rate on the team – and he’s made the game’s first basket in 11.2% of his starts, cashing on his first basket prop 10 times this season. There’s a sizable possibility that the Heat win the opening tip off and get it to Adebayo in the paint for the first basket; if that happens, bettors who tail our Celtics vs. Heat best bets at (+500) will be rewarded heavily.
Another prop that makes the cut among our Celtics vs. Heat best bets is the under on Jimmy Butler’s total points prop, currently set at 28.5 (under -115) on Bet365. While this may strike some as surprising considering our Heat money line pick, Butler has scored 29 points or more in just one of his six games since missing Game 2 against the Knicks on May 2nd.
While Butler is the focal point of Miami’s roster construction, he is more of a two-way star than a pure scoring machine: even if Butler has another great game like he did in Game 2 (27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks), he may come short of the 29 point mark and cash for under bettors. While it’s possible Butler goes off in Game 3 and scores 29 or more, the trends are against him, making the under one of our Celtics vs. Heat best bets.
If you agree with our analysis and want to tail our Celtics vs. Heat best bets, sign up here with Bet365. Once you sign up using a link from this article, make a deposit of at least $10 and bet $1 or more on any of our Celtics vs. Heat best bets, you’ll earn $200 in bonus bets. No promo code is required to qualify.
How to Earn a Guaranteed $200 in Bonus Bets Wagering on the Heat at Bet365 Sportsbook
Bet365’s bet $1, get $200 new user welcome bonus promotion is incredibly easy to qualify for. To earn your $200 in bonus bet credits, you’ll need to satisfy these conditions:
- Be a first-time Bet365 Sportsbook user
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Be located in Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey or Colorado
- Sign up for an account
- Make a first-time deposit of at least $10
- Bet $1 or more on any sports line with odds of (-500) or greater, including our Celtics vs. Heat best bets above
Once you complete the steps listed above, you’ll be credited with $200 in bonus bets automatically. Remember, since no promo code is associated with this Bet365 welcome bonus, you’ll need to sign up using this link: it’s the only way to qualify and earn your credits. No bet outcome is required to earn your $200 bonus – you’ll receive your credits whether your bet wins or loses.
Latest Celtics vs. Heat Odds, Spreads & Betting Lines for Game 3 Courtesy of Bet365 Sportsbook
Here are the latest Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 betting odds, per Bet365 Sportsbook:
- Money line: Boston Celtics (-150), Miami Heat (+130)
- Point spread: Boston Celtics -3 (-115), Miami Heat +3 (-105)
- Point total: Over 214 (-110), Under 214 (-110)
If any of these lines are jumping out at you or you’d like to tail our Celtics vs. Heat best bets above, click this link to create a Bet365 Sportsbook account.
Once you sign up using a link from this article, make a deposit of at least $10 and bet $1 or more on any sports market with odds of (-500) or greater (such as our Celtics vs. Heat best bets), you’ll earn $200 in bonus bet credits instantly. No promo code is required – just use the link above to sign up to ensure you qualify.
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