The Eastern Conference finals comes down to one game between the Celtics and Heat Sunday night in Miami. These teams split the first two games of this series on the Heat’s home court, then split the next two games in Boston, then each won a game on the road. Now, we get a Game 7 to watch and bet.
Boston began this series as a -175 favorite to win it, with Miami getting +155 as the underdog. The updated NBA futures market now chalks the Celtics at -140 to advance to the NBA Finals, with the Heat getting +120.
Here’s how we homeworked this Game 7, with our free NBA playoffs betting pick.
NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
The NBA playoffs betting lines opened Boston as a two-point road favorite for Game 7, with an over/under of right around 198.5. Early betting action then bumped the Celtics a half a point to -2.5 and dropped that total three points to 195.5.
Celtics-Heat Game 7 Betting Preview
Miami forced a Game 7 of this Eastern Conference finals with a 111-103 Game 6 victory in Boston Friday night. The Heat, playing as 8.5-point underdogs, led Game 6 by seven points after one quarter, by two at the half and by seven through three quarters, then fell down to the Celtics 97-94 with five minutes left. But Miami, powered by the great Jimmy Butler, then finished the game with a 17-6 run for the win.
So this series is tied at three games apiece.
The Heat shot 46 percent from the field Friday, held Boston to 44 percent FG shooting and won the battle on the glass 37-34.
Also, Game 6 played over a total of 202.5.
With Friday’s triumph Miami is now 11-6 SU, 10-7 ATS this postseason.
With Friday’s loss the Celtics are now 11-6 SU, 10-6-1 ATS this postseason.
The Heat finished two games ahead of Boston in the regular-season standings but the Celtics took the season series from Miami two games to one. So Boston is now 5-4 both SU and ATS against the Heat this season.
On the injury front Boston G Marcus Smart, this season’s League Defensive Player of the Year, is listed as questionable for Sunday night but our guess is he’ll play. Meanwhile, Miami lists two/three key contributors as questionable for Game 7, most notably Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro, who’s missed the last three games with a pulled groin.
- Get more details: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat Game 7 Betting Stats
NBA Playoffs Betting Trends
- Miami is 8-2 SU, 7-3 ATS at home this postseason.
- Boston is 6-3 SU, 6-2-1 ATS on the road this postseason.
Totals Report
- The unders are 9-8 in Celtics games this postseason.
- The unders are 11-6 in Heat games this postseason.
- The overs are 4-2 in this series, with the games averaging 206 total points against an average O/U of 205.
