Game 2 Heat vs Celtics Picks, Player Props & Same-Game Parlay
- After a Game 1 road win, the Miami Heat are 9-point underdogs vs the Boston Celtics in Game 2
- Jimmy Butler had 35 points to lead Miami to a 123-116 win to take a 1-0 series lead
- Don’t miss the latest Heat vs Celtics Game 2 odds, a 4-leg Same-Game parlay and our betting prediction
After a stunning opening win in Boston to kick off the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat’s NBA Championship odds shortened to +800.
And yet, Miami is getting no respect from the books for the next one, pegged as distant 9-point road ‘dogs to the Celtics — a full point more than Game 1, when they won their 3rd-straight series opener in these playoffs, a 123-116 decision.
Game 2 goes Thursday (May 19) at 8:30pm ET from TD Garden in Boston, MA. You can watch the game live on TNT.
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +9.0 (-117) | +287 | O 215.5 (-117) |
| Boston Celtics | -9.0 (-117) | -454 | U 215.5 (-117) |
The NBA lines have the C’s as -454 favorites on the moneyline, an implied win probability of 81.95%. After obliterating the total of 210.5 in Game 1, the total has been bumped by five points to 215.5.
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Odds as of May 18 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Butler Bests Boston in Game 1
There’s no doubt Jimmy Butler has been the best player in the East’s NBA Playoff Bracket, bar none.
He was the driving force again as Miami grabbed the 1-0 series lead, finishing with 35 points, seven assists, five boards, and a playoff career-high six steals.
It was far from a 1-man show, however, as Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin each went for 15 points, and each hit three from three-point range. Bam Adebayo made it six Heat players in double-figures, potting 20 points, with eight rebounds and five assists.
JIMMY BUTLER 🔥
35 PTS
7 AST
6 STL (Playoff career high)
W#PLAYOFFMODE pic.twitter.com/GQruDGzRwA— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2023
As a team, Miami shot 54.1% from the field, including 16-for-31 from distance, a crisp 51.6% mark.
That was a huge factor in the win, as the Celtics lead the NBA playoffs in 3-point shooting at 39.3% on over 38 attempts per game. Boston shot only 10-for-29, just 34.5%.
After building up a lead by as many as 13, the Celtics’ defense collapsed, getting outscored 46-25 in game-shifting third quarter, as Miami shot 65.4% from the field.
.@RealJayWilliams reacts to Jayson Tatum's performance in Game 1:
"There is no way in hell he can have four shots in the second half. … That is alarming. That is disturbing, 'cause this team goes the way Jayson Tatum goes." pic.twitter.com/sJ5ugwj7da
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 18, 2023
Jayson Tatum, coming off a 51-point effort in the series finale with Philly, led Boston with 30 points but was a non-factor in the fourth quarter. He didn’t attempt a shot, while committing three crucial turnovers.
Jaylen Brown had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists, but he had six turnovers.
Boston did dominate paint scoring, outscoring Miami 62-40, but after relentlessly attacking the paint for 40 first-half points, they barely cleared half that total as the Heat mounted their comeback.
Miami vs Boston Same-Game Parlay
Looking for a Same-Game parlay to add some juice to Game 2? This 4-legger starts with one of our favorite bets these playoffs: Kyle Lowry crossing 18.5 points/rebounds/assists. He turned the trick in Game 1, and he’s went over this exact total four times in the last five games.
Derrick White had 11 points last game, and he’s one of the few C’s that can create offence for himself. Look for him to play a greater role in this series.
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 Same-Game Parlay
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Lowry OVER 18.5 pts/reb/ast | -125 |
| Derrick White OVER 8.5 points | -115 |
| Caleb Martin OVER 1.5 3-pointers made | +114 |
| Marcus Smart UNDER 5.5 assists | +102 |
| Same-Game Parlay Odds | +1300 |
Caleb Martin has hit at least two triples in four of his last six outings, including a 3-for-7 effort on Wednesday. We’ll tack the plus odds onto this parlay.
Finally, Marcus Smart has alternated going over then under 5.5 assists for the last six games. After an 11-dime effort against the Heat, we’ll stick to the trend.
Heat vs Celtics Prediction
In this exact scenario a year ago, Boston pummelled Miami 127-102 in Game 2.
In these playoffs, the Heat have followed a Game 1 win with a loss. In Round 1 against Milwaukee, they lost by 16, and in Round 2 against the Knicks, the Heat lost by six — a game Butler sat out with an ankle injury.
The C’s do have some bounce-back ability, going 7-1 against the spread in their last eight following a loss.
However, Miami has been the bet in this head-to-head, now 14-5 ATS in the last 19 matchups in Boston.
Boston has struggled at home in the playoffs. They’re 4-4 at TD this postseason and 11-11 in their last 22 home playoff games. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, Lakers and Heat have yet to lose at home these playoffs, a combined 21-0.
At this point, it’s also terrifying betting against Butler. I think Boston wins, but who thinks they’re beating that Heat squad by more than 10?
Pick: Heat +9 (-117)
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Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
