Celtics vs. Heat Game 7: Will Boston’s bounce-back brilliance best Miami in ECF decider?

Prosperous positions have not proven profitable for a number of teams in the NBA and NHL playoffs this year. After letting a chance slip at home in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics will be hoping that profligacy works out in their favor in Sunday’s decisive Game 7 in Miami.

After a win at FTX Arena in Game 5 saw them pull ahead 3-2 in the series, the Celtics had a chance to clinch the Eastern Conference title last night at TD Garden. They rallied from down nine in the fourth quarter to take a 97-94 lead, but a 47-point performance by Jimmy Butler helped the Heat pull out a season-saving 111-103 win.

Now, the Celtics find themselves needing to win a Game 7 for the second straight round. In the previous round, they blew out the Milwaukee Bucks at home to move on, but they are going to have to handle the Heat in hostile territory this time around.

Who will move on to face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals? Will it be the home team, who are the East’s top seed? Or will it be the Celtics, who are favored to advance?

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat (2022 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7) Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #2 Boston Celtics (3-3) vs. #1 Miami Heat (3-3)
• Venue & Location: FTX Arena (Miami, Florida)
• Date: Sunday, May 29, 2022
• Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Celtics vs. Heat Game 7: ESPN

Celtics vs. Heat Odds

Odds are via our reviewed and recommended top sportsbooks.

BetOnline

• Spread: Boston Celtics +2.5 (-110), Miami Heat -2.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 195.5 (-110), UNDER 195.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -136, Miami Heat +116

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Boston Celtics -2.5 (-110), Miami Heat +2.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 195.5 (-110), UNDER 195.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -140, Miami Heat +120

BetUS

• Spread: Boston Celtics -2.5 (-113), Miami Heat +2.5 (-108)
• Over/Under: OVER 195.5 (-109), UNDER 195.5 (-112)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -137, Miami Heat +116

Can Boston Stay Perfect in Bounce-Back Positions in the Postseason?

In the second round against the Bucks, Boston never held a series lead until the decisive game. They trailed 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, and responded with a win each time as they saw off Giannis and Milwaukee in seven games.

In the Eastern Conference finals, they trailed 1-0 and 2-1, and just as they did against the Bucks, they responded to those losses by winning Game 2 and Game 4.

If they can extend their rebound record to 6-0 in this postseason with a win tomorrow night in Miami, the Celtics will advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. Not only are they perfect in this position, five of the six wins are by double digits, while the one that wasn’t by double digits was by eight points.

Boston may be favored to win Game 7, but Miami has been a tough out at home all season. They dropped Game 2 and Game 5 of this series at home, but they are 7-2 at home in the playoffs and 36-14 overall at home this season.

The big question for the Heat is whether or not guard Tyler Herro will play in Game 7. This year’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year has missed the last three games due to a groin strain, and his status for Sunday night remains uncertain.

Herro, who averaged a career-best 20.7 PPG and shot a career-high 39.9 percent from three in the regular season, is shooting only 23.2 percent (16 of 69) from three in the playoffs. But the Heat are 54-26 with him on the court this season, compared to just 10-9 without him.

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Prediction and Best Bets

Celtics vs. Heat Prediction: Heat 99, Celtics 93

Celtics vs. Heat Best Bets: Heat +2.5 (-108 at BetUS), Heat ML (+120 at Bovada Sportsbook) & UNDER 195.5 (-110 at BetOnline & Bovada Sportsbook)

Best Prop Pick for Celtics vs. Heat Game 7: Jimmy Butler over 28.5 points (-104 at BetOnline)

Boston’s record of rebounding from losses is outstanding, to say the least. Dating back to the regular season, they are 14-2 in their last 16 games following a loss.

But the Heat have been great at home all season long, and they shouldn’t be counted out at this juncture, especially with Jimmy Butler on their side.

Butler had a muted impact in Miami’s losses in Games 4 and 5, but he was a monster in Game 6 with 47 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

In the Heat’s series-clinching win in Philadelphia in the second round, Butler had 32 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to eliminate the 76ers.

Look for him to follow up his huge Game 6 heroics with a big night in Game 7 to send the Heat through to their second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons.