It didn't take long for the Miami Heat to crush the hopes of future big bettors cashing in on Boston Celtics tickets to win every game in the NBA playoffs.
Miami won Game 2 by double digits despite being without their best player and leader, Jimmy Butler.
How shocking was that victory? The last time a team trailing by 14 points won by double digits in the playoffs was 30 years ago.
The Heat also set a franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a playoff game with a heroic Game 2 knockdown of 23 treys.
As the series heads to South Beach, will we see another heated game between the Butler-less Heat and Celtics? Or will this be a revenge game for Boston, which was over before it even started?
Celtics vs. Heat odds
| team | spread | money line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| celtics | -9.5 (-108) | -420 | o202.5 (-110) |
| heat | +9.5 (-112) | +330 | u202.5 (-110) |
Celtics vs. Heat predictions
(6 p.m. ET, TNT)
Despite Miami's dominance in the final game in Boston, Boston is almost a double-digit favorite to win Game 3. Does that line make sense in this passage?
The 14-point difference in the second game felt like an overreaction to the crushing defeat in the first game.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is one of the best game-to-game adjusters in the NBA, and knows how to change strategies and shake up opponents on both ends of the floor.
The Heat's play in Game 2 was basically perfect. They made a whopping 23 of 43 3-point attempts (53.5%). Don't expect Miami to hit that percentage again.
Still, the Celtics have allowed the sixth-most wide-open 3s (6 feet or more) this season, and it would be surprising if the Heat continued to attack from beyond the arc whenever Bam Adebayo doesn't have the ball alone. It probably won't hit. situation.
Joe Mazzula's analysis of the shutout loss in Game 2 is also a bit concerning.
The Celtics coach said most of Miami's 3-pointers were “moderate to heavily contested,” but that's not what the analysis shows.
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According to NBA.com, 37 of Miami's 43 3-pointers were classified as “open” or “wide open,” meaning those attempts did not result in a shutout.
If the Celtics don't concentrate their shooters inside the arc, Miami could once again shoot at a high percentage from deep.
This line feels much more appropriate. I'm leaning towards the Heat at +9.5, but this could be a revenge spot for Boston.
