The early 9-point spread for Game 6 of the Heat vs. Celtics East Finals represents the largest number Boston has laid this postseason. The total of 201 is the lowest over/under for any matchup of the 2022 NBA Playoffs so far.
These odds show up after the Celtics’ second straight blowout over Miami, a 93-80 shellacking in Game 5 on Wednesday night that followed Monday night’s 102-82 rout. The Heat are having trouble scoring, going 31.9% and 33.3% from the field in the series’ two most recent games, and star Jimmy Butler seems out of sorts, shooting 7-for-32 for a total of just 19 points over these outings.
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With two chances to win one game, the next at home at TD Garden, Boston’s series price has ballooned to double-digits, -1100 at BetMGM the most attractive odds we’re seeing Thursday. Believers in a Heat comeback can find +800 at Circa Sports and +750 at FanDuel and BetRivers.
Heat vs. Celtics Game 6 Betting Lines
Betting Trends
While ‘over’ cashed in the first three games of this series, Games 4 and 5 didn’t come close to getting there. ‘Under’ bettors, though, are up against an NBA Playoff-low in Game 6, making value on a third straight cash tough to find.
The same can be said for laying the points with the Celts. They’re a wallet-fattening 10-5-1 against the spread this postseason but just 4-4 ATS at home – and that middling record has come against far shorter numbers. The 6.5 points they covered in Game 4 vs. the Heat is the most that’s been asked of them these playoffs.
Injury Concerns
He didn’t do much offensively (5 points, 4 assists), but Marcus Smart was back for Boston on Wednesday night. Robert Williams, who’s been nagged by injuries throughout the postseason, was also on the floor, swatting three shots and making a general nuisance of himself on the defensive end.
Tyler Herro, meanwhile, has yet to return from a groin injury suffered in Game 3, and his prospects for Game 6 aren’t exactly promising, despite his best efforts to get back.
ESPN reporting that Tyler Herro‘s groin injury typically would take 2 to 4 weeks to return. Says he is pushing to return this week. No confirmation from Heat. Injury report expected within the hour.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 24, 2022
Struggling for buckets, Miami could sure use the services of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year and the 20.7 points per game he averaged in the regular season.
Celtics vs. Heat Series Props
Following a 12-point outing in Game 4, Jaylen Brown dropped 25 in Game 5, including this highlight-reel dunk in the fourth quarter.
Jaylen Brown is a frequent flyer ✈
After his Game 5 dunk, we take a look back at some of the best career postseason dunks! pic.twitter.com/Xrlp9vDGuf
— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2022
Averaging 25 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2 assists in the series, Brown has put himself in the conversation with Jayson Tatum for the inaugural awarding of the Larry Bird Trophy for MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. Here are those odds as of Thursday for players priced less than 100-1.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP (partial list from FanDuel)
Jayson Tatum -150
Jaylen Brown +155
Jimmy Butler +1100
Bam Adebayo +2500
Marcus Smart +4000
Al Horford +7000
The Boston teammates are also dueling for series leading scorer.
Series Highest Points Per Game Average (FanDuel)
Brown -130
Tatum +100
Butler +7500
Smart +10000
Herro +10000
Adebayo +10000
Here are a few more series props. There are lots more offered around the marketplace, so please peruse your sportsbook apps.
Series Correct Score (FanDuel)
Celtics 4-2 -430
Celtics 4-3 +600
Heat -4-3 +750
Number of Game 7s in Conference Finals (DraftKings)
With the Warriors also a win away from advancing to the NBA Finals (as of this Thursday update), DraftKings is offering 25-to-1 odds on both series extending to seven games:
0 Game 7s -250
1 Game 7 +210
2 Game 7s +2500
Series correct score (DraftKings)
Celtics 4-2 -425
Celtics 4-3 +600
Heat 4-3 +750
NBA Finals Exact Outcome (BetMGM)
Warriors beat Celtics +100
Celtics beat Warriors +125
Celtics beat Mavericks +2200
Warriors beat Heat +2200
Mavericks beat Celtics +2800
Heat beat Warriors +2800
Heat beat Mavericks +15000
Mavericks beat Heat +20000
Also read: Odds to win NBA Finals | NBA Finals MVP odds
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