The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics play Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals series Tuesday. Tip-off at HP Field House in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. is at 6:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Heat-Celtics Game 1 betting odds and lines, with NBA picks and best bets.
Heat vs. Celtics: Key injuries
Celtics
- C Vincent Poirier (personal) out
- SF Gordon Hayward (ankle) out
- SG Jaylen Brown (groin) out
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Heat vs. Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Celtics 109, Heat 106
Money line (ML)
The CELTICS (-134) are slight money line favorites over the Heat in Game 1. Despite going to a Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors, Boston has won 12 of its last 16 games. Miami (+110) has been incredibly hot as well, but Boston has the defenders to potentially slow down SF Jimmy Butler.
Look for this game to be close throughout, but for the CELTICS (-134) to win Game 1.
Line/Against the spread (ATS)
The CELTICS (-2, -110) are just one basket favorites in this contest over the Heat. Boston has covered in eight of its last 11 games, while Miami has covered in eight of its last nine games.
With the line being so low, don’t be afraid to take the Boston point spread instead of the money line, as it presents more value. Expect this to be a close contest that likely comes down to foul shooting in the last minute of the game.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total for this matchup is set at 209.5. Certainly, the defenses are top-notch, but a point total of 209.5 feels low.
Look for both of these teams to hover around 110 points, allowing the OVER to hit with relative ease.
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