Boston Celtics vs Miami Heats 5/23/2023 Picks, Odds and Analysis
East Finals – Game 4, MIA leads series 3-0
The Boston Celtics will battle the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, with the Celtics aiming to keep their NBA Title hopes alive. Despite being the second-seeded team, the Celtics have had success on the road, winning four out of their first seven away games in the postseason. They currently hold the second spot in offensive efficiency. However, their previous game, a 128-102 loss on the road, revealed struggles on both ends of the court. Boston needed help finding their rhythm offensively, missing 31 out of 42 three-point attempts while also experiencing defensive breakdowns.
Jayson Tatum, an All-Star forward and standout player, led the Celtics in scoring with 14 points, although his shooting efficiency suffered, making only 6 of his 18 attempts. Tatum made a significant contribution by grabbing ten rebounds in 33 minutes of play and providing two assists. Another All-Star player, Jaylen Brown, had a challenging game from beyond the arc, missing all seven of his three-point attempts and finishing with 12 points.
In Game 3, the Celtics faced a 128-102 defeat. They committed 24 fouls compared to the Heat’s 16 fouls. Boston made 19 of their 35 three-point attempts, while Miami converted 17 of their 21 free throw attempts, achieving an 81.0% success rate. Miami outrebounded Boston with 35 total rebounds, consisting of one offensive rebound and 34 defensive rebounds. The Heat also recorded three blocked shots, distributed 25 assists, and accumulated seven steals.
Defensively, the Celtics struggled to contain Miami, allowing them to shoot 56.8% from the field, as the Heat made 46 out of 81 shots. On their end, the Celtics contributed 25 assists, forced nine turnovers, and secured three steals. In terms of rebounding, the Celtics collected a total of 57 rebounds, with 21 of them being offensive rebounds. They made 13 of their 17 attempts at the free-throw line, resulting in a 76.5% success rate. Overall, Boston had a field goal percentage of 39.8% (39 out of 98) and made 11 of their 42 three-point attempts.
- The total stayed UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last five games on the road against Miami.
- Boston is 1-4 ATS in their last five games against an opponent in the Southeast Division.
- The Boston Celtics are 1-4 SU in their previous five matches played on a Tuesday.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heats 5/23/2023 Picks, Odds and Analysis
The Miami Heat have established their dominance in the series, holding a commanding 3-0 lead and showcasing an impressive six-game winning streak at home. In Game Three, Miami displayed exceptional shooting abilities, connecting on 19 of 35 three-point attempts and shooting an impressive 57 percent overall. They asserted their control early in the game, building a commanding 61-46 halftime lead and extending their advantage to a staggering 33 points in the second half.
Gabe Vincent led the way for the Heat, who delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 29 points on an efficient 11-for-14 shooting. Duncan Robinson made a significant impact off the bench, knocking down 5 of 7 three-pointers and contributing 22 points in just 23 minutes of play. Jimmy Butler also made his presence felt with 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. In terms of rebounding, Miami allowed the Boston Celtics to secure 57 rebounds, with 21 being offensive rebounds.
The Heat struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 26.2 percent by making 11 of their 42 attempts. However, they performed well at the free throw line, converting 13 of 17 shots for a solid 76.5 percent success rate. Defensively, Miami allowed the Celtics to convert 39 of their 98 field goal attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 39.8 percent. On the other hand, the Heat finished the game shooting 46 of 81 from the field, which translates to an impressive 56.8 percent shooting percentage. They excelled in three-point shooting, making 19 of their 35 attempts for an impressive 54.3 percent. At the free throw line, Miami made 17 attempts, achieving an 81.0 percent success rate. The Celtics committed 24 fouls throughout the game, leading to the Heat’s 21 free throw attempts. Miami also capitalized on turnovers, forcing the Celtics to give up possession nine times and securing seven steals. They collected 34 defensive rebounds and one offensive rebound, accumulating 35 rebounds for the game.
- Miami is 10-2 SU in their last 12 games with a team in the Eastern Conference.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Miami’s last five games with a team in the Atlantic Division.
- The Miami Heat is 6-2 ATS in their last eight games played in May.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat. The NBA Pick for this contest is the Boston Celtics. Miami’s power forward, Kevin Love, sustained a strained left leg in the previous game and is currently considered probable for the upcoming matchup. Despite entering the series as underdogs, the Miami Heat have now been given a slight favorite status. However, the Boston Celtics boast a considerable amount of talent and are unlikely to suffer a sweep, especially considering their anticipated improvement in shooting. The final score prediction leans towards a victory for the Boston Celtics, with a projected score of 114-105.
NBA Starting Time: 8:30 PM ET
Location: FTX Arena in Miami, FL
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
TV: TNT
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Boston Celtics +1.5
NBA Totals: 216