Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Game 2 Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Bam Adebayo’s game-saving block in overtime of Game 1 gave the Heat a 1-0 series lead over the Celtics.
• After leading for the majority of the game, the Celtics were outscored by 12 in the fourth quarter as the Heat forced overtime.
• Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 30 points.

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Heat vs Celtics Odds

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Heat vs Celtics Predictions and Picks

The Boston Celtics played an excellent game but faltered late. Don’t expect Brad Stevens’ side to have another collapse in Game 2.

Picks:

Boston Celtics def. Miami Heat -141

Boston -2.5 -112

Under 208.5 -112

How to Watch Heat vs Celtics

Head-to-Head: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics

Why are the Celtics Struggling to Close Games?

The Boston Celtics are a talented team, led by stars Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum. After winning a seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors, many believed the Celtics were over their late-game hump. It didn’t look that way in Game 1 against the Heat.

After giving up a nine-point lead to the Miami Heat, allowing the game to be sent into overtime, Boston capitulated in the extra session to concede Game 1. When asked why Boston struggles to close games, head coach Brad Stevens suggested a lack of ball movement and focus on isolation-play.

If the Celtics want to even up the series with Miami, they must commit to their offensive gameplan. As good as Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker are, the Heat have shown they have the defensive talent to shut them down in any situation. Ball movement and shot creation are key for the Celtics to win Game 2.

Miami Can Shoot Their Way Back

Despite going down at a crucial period in the third quarter, the Miami Heat showed why they are built to overcome difficult situations. Matching up perfectly with the Celtics, the Heat were able to shoot their way back into the game.

Playing the role of facilitators, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 18 assists on the evening. Complementing the Heat’s 16 made three-point field goals.

While going down big in games isn’t ideal, the Heat doesn’t present the same lack of threat that the Raptors did against Boston. Between Butler, Crowder, Dragic, and Herro, at least two three-pointers were made by each player. Their threat from deep is a problem Boston is unlikely to solve.

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Celtics Key Player: (G) Kemba Walker

Don’t be fooled by the stat line, Kemba Walker struggled against the Miami Heat and their swarming defence. In fact, his troubles that continue from the Toronto series still plague him.

When he is the focal point for the opponent’s defence, Walker is struggling to score as well as create. He was 6-19 in Game 1 against the Heat with three turnovers to his six assists.

Boston needs an aggressive Walker in order to win Game 2. While ball movement is crucial for the Celtics’ success, Walker has shown the ability to score efficiently when hunting mismatches. Expect a bounce-back game for the perennial All-Star.

Heat Key Player: (G) Tyler Herro

The people’s champion in Miami, Tyler Herro doesn’t look like a rookie in the NBA bubble and certainly not in the Conference Finals.

In-Game 1 Herro put on one of his best performances as a professional. Herro contributed a near triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists on 50% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from deep.

Herro’s playmaking ability is a big reason why fellow rookie Kendrick Nunn isn’t seeing the court as much. If Herro continues to act as sharpshooter and playmaker, it is difficult to imagine the Celtics’ vaunted defence stopping Miami.