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The Miami Heat (1-0) and Boston Celtics (1-0) square off in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday night. Tip from TD Garden is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Heat vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 2-2 in regular season last year; Heat defeated Celtics 4-3 in the playoffs
The Heat return to the spot they annihilated the Celtics in Game 7 103-84 to advance to the NBA Finals. They had a close call in their season opener as they staved off the young Detroit Pistons 103-102. Miami had a 19-point lead and nearly squandered it. F Jimmy Butler had 19 points, 13 boards and 4 assists.
The Celtics pushed as 4-point favorites in a 108-104 victory over the New York Knicks in their season opener. F Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 11 boards. But it was newcomer C Kristaps Porzingis that stole the show with 30 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks.
Heat at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Heat +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Celtics -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat +9.5 (-115) | Celtics -9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Heat at Celtics key injuries
Heat
- F Duncan Robinson (foot) probable
Celtics
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Heat at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 111, Heat 107
Moneyline
The Celtics are massive favorites in this one. And don’t get me wrong, they looked good in their 1st game, and the Heat struggled to put away the Pistons. But, the Celtics were up 30-18 on the Knicks after 1 quarter and allowed them to stay in it.
PASS and look to the spread.
Against the spread
The Celtics should win the game, but I am jumping at the chance to get the HEAT +9.5 (-115). The Heat covered this number in 3 of 4 meetings in the regular season last year and won 1 of the games in the Garden. They also obviously stunned them on the road in the playoffs. This number is likely to get steamed back down closer to tip so get in on this.
Over/Under
The 2 games in Boston went way over this number last year, and Boston appears to have gotten even better on offense. Both teams went Under in their season openers, but this is a more manageable number.
LEAN OVER 216.5 (-115).
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