Celtics vs. Heat Game 5 Betting: Back the Celtics, Take the Over

The 2021-22 NBA Eastern Conference Finals have been a back-and-forth affair, resulting in a 2-2 series. Game 5 is scheduled to take place at FTX Arena on Wednesday, May 25, giving the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics an opportunity to move one step closer to the NBA Finals.

Momentum is on the Celtics’ side after walking away from Game 4 with the 102-82 series-evening victory. It was the ‘Jayson Tatum Show’ that night, making it interesting to see if the rest of Boston’s cast shows up on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Heat must use home-court advantage in their favor so that they don’t have to head back to Boston facing elimination. Their starting five was atrocious on Monday and must be much better if they’re to win tonight.

Can the Celtics return home one victory away from the NBA Finals? Or will the Heat manage to swing the series back in their favor?

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game 5 Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #2 Boston Celtics vs. #1 Miami Heat
• Venue & Location: FTX Arena (Miami, Florida)
• Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2022
• Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Celtics vs. Heat Game 5: ESPN

Celtics vs. Heat Game 5 Odds

Odds are via our top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

BetOnline

• Spread: Boston Celtics -2 (-110), Miami Heat +2 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 204 (-110), UNDER 204 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -130, Miami Heat +110

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Boston Celtics -2 (-110), Miami Heat +2 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 204 (-110), UNDER 204 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -130, Miami Heat +110

BetUS

• Spread: Boston Celtics -2 (-112), Miami Heat+2 (-109)
• Over/Under: OVER 204 (-112), UNDER 204 (-109)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -132, Miami Heat +110

Celtics Eyeing 3-2 Series Lead

Neither team in the Eastern Conference Finals has been able to win back-to-back games this series, but the Celtics are looking to change that in Game 5.

If they want to make good on their plan, the Celtics are going to need another world-class performance from Jayson Tatum. The 24-year-old superstar had a game-high 31 points on Monday, giving him his highest point total of the series.

One area that Tatum needs to be better at is his three-point shooting. He’s usually solid from behind the arc but has shot just 2-of-14 (.143) from three-point range over the last two games.

The rest of the Celtics’ players were fairly quiet in Game 4, all scoring 14 or fewer points. However, that doesn’t mean that they didn’t contribute in their own way.

Derrick White did a little bit of everything with his near 41 minutes of playing time, recording 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. Even though he only had nine points, Al Horford finished with a team-high 13 rebounds.

Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams need to be better, though. The duo shot a combined 6-of-28 last game for a total of 19 points. That’s just unacceptable from players who are capable of doing so much more.

It’ll also be interesting to see if Marcus Smart is able to suit up for the Celtics after missing Game 4 with a lingering ankle injury. His status is listed as being day-to-day.

Heat Starting Five Look to Rebound

The Heat’s Game 4 defeat was mainly the result of their starting five simply not showing up. If history repeats itself, they can forget about a potential trip to the NBA Finals.

The starting lineup of Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker, Jimmy Butler, Max Strus and Kyle Lowry combined for just 18 points on 7-of-36 shooting in Game 4. Just a reminder: Tatum had 31 points and eight field goals made on his own.

The thing is that we know the Heat’s starters can play better than that. It was only in Game 1 of this series when Butler had a 41-point night. Now, it’s gone downhill since then with him averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the last three games.

Miami’s defense even played well in Game 4, holding Boston’s players to .397/.235/.842 shooting splits. The Heat actually had the better three-point percentage (.389) than the Celtics but struggled to get things going from closer, evident by their .296 two-pointer percentage.

The good news for the Heat is that they’re 10-1 in their last 11 home games, with that sole loss coming against the Celtics in Game 2. If they can remember to use the hometown crowd’s cheering to their advantage, it might be enough to get their starting players back on track.

Celtics vs. Heat Game 5 Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Celtics 113, Heat 101

Best Bets: Celtics -2 (-110 at BetOnline Sportsbook) and Over 204 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook)

There’s no way to hide just how atrocious the Heat’s starting five was in Game 4. Even though they’re capable of bouncing back, that could have been the momentum-changer in the series, which is why I’m rolling with the Celtics as the outright winners.

As for the best bet, I’m taking the Celtics as 2-point favorites at -110. Boston is 10-1 against the spread in its last 11 road games and is 2-1 ATS since Game 2.

Best Prop Pick for Celtics vs. Heat Game 5

• Jayson Tatum Under 28.5 Points (-120 at BetOnline Sportsbook)

Jayson Tatum had a terrific showing in Game 4, but I actually like him finishing with the under tonight.

Although he surpassed the total last time, Tatum has finished with 28 or fewer points in three of his last five playoff games and has been struggling to shoot the deep ball.

The Heat have done well at guarding Tatum for the most part, which is why I think he’ll finish just below the total.

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