Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NBA Playoffs Game 1?
The No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and No. 1 seed Miami Heat face off on Tuesday at FTX Arena in Miami in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.
The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN.
Who will win the game?
Check out these odds, picks and predictions for the contest.
The Heat are a 1.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
Miami is -125 on the money line and Boston is +102.
The over/under for the game is set at 213.5 points.
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Covers.com: Take the Heat to cover in Game 1 vs. Celtics
Jason Logan writes: "While I’m not putting too much weight into past matchups, the most recent game between these franchises saw Miami check the Celtics to just 41% shooting and force 17 turnovers in a 106-98 victory in the Garden on March 30. On top of the Heat’s smothering defense, heavy legs and fatigue could lead to similar stats from the Celtics on Wednesday. Bookies may be predicting Boston to steal one on the road in this series, but it won’t be Game 1."
Fansided: Take the under in Game 1 of Heat vs. Celtics series
Andrew Hughes writes: "As you can tell, the Houdini is confident in Boston winning this series based more so on what Ime Udoka has accomplished with this group and even more so from the 2-1 regular season edge and +39 point differential. A Game 1 loss wouldn’t shock us, but the over hitting would. One of these teams figures to get clamped down on in the ECF’s first collision."
Top Bet: Celtics 100, Heat 97
It writes: "Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals after coming back from a 2-3 series deficit in the second round versus the Milwaukee Bucks. They won Game 6 of that series on the road, 108-95) and then put up a much an even better performance, especially defensively, in their 109-81 win in Game 7 on Sunday. This Boston team solved Kevin Durant in the first round and triumphed over a Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks in the Eastern Conference semis. In other words, the Celtics certainly have what it takes to shut down Miami’s offense that’s not even in the top 10 in the playoffs in terms of points per game. As for their offense, the Celtics will surely be relying upon the hot hands of Jayson Tatum, who has averaged 34.3 points in the last three games. As a team, the Celtics, who are making 14.5 threes per game in the playoffs, are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 outings."
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ESPN: Heat have a 62.2% chance to win the game
The site's Basketball Power Index gives the Celtics a 37.8% chance to win the game.
FiveThirtyEight: Celtics have a 53% win probability
The site gives the Heat a 47% win probability in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs series.
Number Fire: Heat have a 56.3% shot at to pick up victory
The site has Miami as the favorite in Game 1 of its playoffs series against Boston.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game 1 playoffs picks, predictions, odds
