Opening Heat vs Celtics Game 2 Odds, Spread & Projected Line Movement
- Even though they upset the Celtics in Game 1, the Heat opened up as heavy 9-point underdogs for Game 2 on Friday, May 19th
- Miami used a stunning 46-point third quarter to propel them to victory in the first game
- See the opening Heat vs Celtics Game 2 odds below, including predictions on which way the betting lines will move
For the second playoff series in a row, the Celtics lost Game 1 at home as their usually stout defense let them down big time in the second half of a 123-116 defeat to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
What Boston has shown throughout the postseason is the resilience to bounce back from defeat, as they are 4-1 after losses so far in these playoffs. Game 2 between the Heat and Celtics tips off at 8:30 pm ET on Friday, May 19th, with TNT and TSN providing broadcast coverage.
After giving up a ridiculous 46 third-quarter points to Miami in the opener, you can count on the Celtics making a much more concerted effort on the defensive side of the ball for Friday’s affair.
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +320 | +9 (-110) | O 215 (-110) |
| Boston Celtics | -400 | -9 (-110) | U 215 (-110) |
Laying 8.5-points for the series opener and not even winning straight up, you might think the betting line would be a bit tighter for the next meeting between these two, but that’s not the case. The Celtics have opened as 9-point chalk to come back with a vengeance and even the series before heading to South Beach.
SPORTSBOOK
Odds as of May 17th at Bet365. Claim a Bet365 bonus code to bet on the NBA playoffs.
Heat vs Celtics Betting Trends
Entering the conference finals, the Celtics were the favorites of the final four sides in the NBA Championship odds at -105, the only team not playing plus money. Another loss to the Heat on Friday, and those odds will lengthen substantially.
Surprisingly, Boston is only .500, with a 4-4 mark at TD Garden in this postseason. In 41 regular season games, they lost at home just nine times.
Celtics fans watching Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/IKQfUj3nw9
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 18, 2023
One of the reasons oddsmakers may have pegged them as such large favorites in Game 2 is because of the ability they’ve shown to redeem themselves after a loss in the playoffs. They are 4-1 in five games after a defeat with a 9.4-point margin of victory in those contests.
Opening over/under odds are up a full three points in the NBA lines from Game 1, after the teams combined for 239 points in the first meeting, far exceeding the total of 212 points.
Following playoff games where they’ve allowed at least 110 points, Boston has allowed at least that same amount in five of seven games. With the total for this one set at 215, it appears the Celts will need more from their offense to square this series up at a game apiece.
At 9-3, Miami is tied with Denver for the best winning percentage of any team remaining in the postseason, as shocking as that might sound for a team that came into the NBA playoff bracket as the No. 8 seed. Of the Heat’s three playoff defeats, just one has come by more than nine points.
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 Line Movement
The Heat shot a scorching 51.6% from beyond the arc to push them past the Celtics and establish the series edge. It’s unlikely they shoot the ball with the same efficiency in Game 2, but they’ve scored at least 105 points in 10 of 12 postseason contests.
THE JIMMY 3 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tzbQ9leVAH
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 18, 2023
Given that trend as well as Boston’s history of looking to go blow-for-blow offensively with the opposition this postseason, public betting trends will likely move the over/under total to a higher number as we get closer to tipoff.
In addition, online sportsbooks have shown little regard for Miami, setting them up as 9-point dogs, but given the Heat’s performance in the playoffs, our prediction is that line should slide down to a more respectable number as we near Game 2.
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George has had a lifelong love affair with sports and studying sports statistics since he was a kid. He graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and has worked in the sports & media industry ever since in various roles from writer to producer.
