Eastern Conference Finals Boston vs Miami: Preview, Predictions, and Betting Tips

Eastern Conference Finals

The Eastern Conference finals are here, and the matchup could not be better as the Boston Celtics will battle the Miami Heat in what could be a classic series. The heat was the best team in the East this season but have been largely ignored by fans. Will the heat can no longer be ignored. The Celtics are a tough, gritty defensive team that will be tough for anybody they play. Check out the best sports betting sites for betting on the NBA playoffs!

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Intangibles

Tyler Herro was a consistent force for the Miami Heat during the regular season, but that has not been the case during these playoffs. Herro has been inconsistent, and the fact that the Heat has made it to this point without Herro playing well tells you how good of a team the Heat are, Now though Herro will have to be consistent and play at the top of his game if the Heat is to have a chance at beating the Celtics.

Derrick White has played well for the most part during these playoffs. White is not known for his shooting ability, but the Celtics are almost impossible to beat when he knocks down his shots. If White plays well, the Celtics should advance, but that’s not a given with White’s sometimes inconsistent shooting.

Betting tips for the Heat/Celtics!

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Celtics/Heat Preview and Betting Tips

Series Odds

• Celtics: -160 bet at Caesars sportsbook
• Heat: +130 bet at Caesars Sportsbook

Keys to the series

The Health of Kyle Lowry

Lowry missed four of the six games in the eastern conference semi-finals with an injured hamstring, and his status for this series is up in the air. Lowry looks doubtful to play in game one of the series, and your guess is as good as mine when he will return. Even if he returns, it is hard to see Lowry being one hundred per cent at any time in this series. Without a healthy Lowry, the Celtics defense will control this series. Gabe Vincent has done a great job replacing Lowry, and if Lowry can return to this series, it would make the Heat an even deeper team.

Grant Williams, can he be consistent?

Williams showed just how valuable he could be to the Celtics in game seven against the Bucks as Williams dominated the game. Williams attempted 18 shots from beyond the three-point line, hitting seven of them. He scored 27 points and finished plus-26 in 39 minutes of action. But the problem has been Williams is just as apt to disappear as he is to play well. Williams has to show some consistency for the Celtics to win a World Championship. Check out the best bookmakers for betting on the NBA Playoffs!

Containing Jimmy Buckets

Butler has been phenomenal in this playoffs, and for the Heat to win this series, Butler will have to be at his very best. The Celtics defense has shown it’s the best in the game, and if any team can slow Butler down, it is the Boston Celtics. Marcus Smart, who was last season’s defensive player of the year, will get most of the action against Butler, but I also believe at points in games, the Celtics will throw bodies at Butler. Look for Jayson Tatum to match up with Butler, but having Tatum on Butler too much could hurt Tatum on the offensive end, and I think that’s when you start to see the Celtics throw bodies at him when Smart is not guarding him.

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Prediction

The Heats dependence on Jimmy Butler will get them beat. The Celtics have the players to control Butler, which means the players on the Heat will have to step up if the Heat are to win. I don’t see that happening enough. Kyle Lowry looks to be out for game one, and who knows, win, he will play again, and even if he does, how effective will he be? Pick Celtics in six!