Calculate the final score of Game 2 between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics using the most recent betting odds.
In their first-round matchup with the eighth-ranked Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, who had the best regular-season record in the NBA, showed off their strength in a commanding performance. The Celtics took a 15-point advantage into the locker room thanks to their first-half explosion, and they would go on to win 114-94 in the third quarter.
With ace Jimmy Butler out of the lineup, Boston has now soared to a 14.5-point favorite in Wednesday’s Game 2 battle at TD Garden against a Miami team devoid of offensive potency.
Here’s an attempt to forecast the final score of tonight’s Heat-Celtics game using the most recent betting odds before the series moves to Miami for Games 3 and 4.
Heat vs. Celtics NBA expert prediction and pick
The Heat have looked good on paper while Butler is out. Without the six-time All-Star, Miami had an overall record of 13-10 this season; but, after losing Game 1, the team’s record fell to 6-8 against playoff teams.
With a 17-10 ATS record as a road underdog—the best in the Eastern Conference and second in the league overall, just behind New Orleans—Miami has excelled in this position. Boston has dominated opponents at TD Garden, going 38-4 straight up, and is 23-17-2 ATS at home.
The only chance Miami has to stay in this game is if it can manage to establish the tone with its style of play. The Heat rely on a defense that is No. 5 in the league in net rating and rank 29th in the NBA in terms of pace.
When playing the Celtics, who are the clear favorite to win the NBA Finals and rank second in the league in scoring with 122.9 points per game at home, you can usually throw those tendencies out the window.
Erik Spoelstra, one of the top coaches in the NBA, is in charge of Miami, nevertheless, and after the Heat lost the first game of the series, he guided the team to a 9-2 record in Game 2.
Heat vs. Celtics final score prediction
Although Miami has been a stingy underdog all season and can stick around in this matchup, an outright upset could be a difficult order for the Heat playing in one of the league’s toughest venues. Miami, a defense that ranked seventh in the NBA against three-pointers this season, is cool with Boston’s practice of burying 22 threes in its Game 1 triumph.
This appears to be an exaggerated point spread for a team that is currently winning.In a game with a low total of points, Miami limits it to single digits.
Final score prediction: Celtics 106, Heat 97
