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Basketball | Tuesday, May 17, 2022 12:20 PM (Revised at: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 8:23 PM)

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Bet Builder Tips: Tuesday, May 17th

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Bet Builder Tips: Tuesday, May 17th
Contributor: Abaca Press / Alamy Stock Photo

The Miami Heat welcome the Boston Celtics to FTX Arena on Tuesday night for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tipping off at 01:45 (UK time), Boston comes into this game with uncertainty over the availability of Marcus Smart, who is listed as questionable. Kyle Lowry is out for the Heat. P.J. Tucker, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin are day-to-day.
In this article:

  • Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Betting Analysis
  • Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Bet Builder Tips

Miami not only has homecourt; they have a rest advantage after wrapping up their second round series in six games. Boston played out a seven-game classic with the Milwaukee Bucks, clocking up considerable mileage on their key players. Both factors play a part in Miami being 1.5-point favourites despite the fact they’re underdogs for the series.

The points line is set at 204.5. The under has cashed in nine of Miami’s 11 postseason games to date, and in 63.6% of Boston’s playoff contests. While that number might seem on the low side for 2020s basketball, a low-scoring series is to be expected here between two elite defences. Both teams have issues with their half-court offence. We’re taking the under.


More tips for this game at our Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics tips page


Lowry’s absence leaves the Heat offence short on ideas at times. Butler has been sensational this postseason at both ends of the floor, and he’s carrying an even greater playmaking burden than usual. Arguably the best player of these playoffs thus far, Butler is averaging over two steals per game.

Despite clocking a lone steal in Games 5 and 6 against Philadelphia, Butler is a good bet to have over 1.5 steals on Tuesday night. He’s hit the over in all of his other playoff games, and we can expect the Heat to aggressively pressure the ball as they aim to unsettle this Celtics offence.


Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Builder Tips

  • Under 204.5 total points
  • Jimmy Butler over 1.5 steals
  • Jayson Tatum over 3.5 turnovers
  • Max Strus over 2.5 made threes

Bet Builder is available at odds of 9.00

Odds as at 2 pm May 17th. Odds may now differ.

That ball pressure will often be directed at Jayson Tatum. Tatum is turning it over four times per game this postseason and notched 11 giveaways in the last two games of the second round. With Smart either hobbled or not playing, the All-NBA forward will spend even more time with the ball in his hands. He has been troubled by traps and doubles at points in these playoffs, and Miami have the personnel to experiment.

The Heat were fifth in opponent turnovers this season. There’s value on Tatum to cough it up four or more times.

On the other side of the ball, Miami needs its shooters to get hot. Max Strus lit up the Sixers for 39 points over the last two games, taking 20 threes and making eight of them. His role is going to be just as significant in the Conference Finals, and perhaps even more so if the Boston defence can slow down Butler.

Strus’ usage is going to remain high. His 8.5 three-point attempts per game is behind only Steph Curry, Tatum, Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson of the remaining players. He’s making three outside shots per contest – take the over on 2.5 made threes. 


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