Barry Recks
The Miami Heat stunned the Boston Celtics and the rest of the NBA in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Will they follow that up with another win in Game 2? Or do you think the Boston Celtics will hit back hard and tie the series up at 1-1?
Read on for more about this Heat vs Celtics matchup in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NBA game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs Game 2 Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2023
- Where: TD Garden, Boston
- When: Friday, May 19, 2023, 8:30 PM ET
- NBA Betting Odds: View NBA Odds
Betting on the Miami Heat
- Regular Season Record: 44-38
Jimmy Butler and the Heat are indeed a tough bunch. Despite the odds, the Heat stole Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals on the road with a 123-116 win at TD Garden over the Celtics on Wednesday. Butler made one great play after another on both sides of the court, finishing with 35 points, seven assists, and six steals.
Miami knows its place and is very much aware that it is the underdog, but the Heat just don’t mind about it all. The Heat are getting ample support from their role players as well, making it easier for them to mitigate the absence of Tyler Herro. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus started in Game 1 and scored 15 points apiece. Veteran guard Kyle Lowry came off the bench and fired 15 points. It is also a good sign for the Heat that they hit 16 of 31 attempts from deep in Game 1. That will keep Boston’s defense honest at the very least in Game 2.
Betting on the Boston Celtics
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
Jaylen Brown said that he felt the Celtics played without a sense of urgency in Game 1. That sure looked like the case in their loss to the Heat, so expect Boston to be locked in this Friday. One thing about Boston is that it’s won against the spread in seven of its last eight games after suffering a loss. Moreover, the Celtics are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in Game 1 with 30 points but he was barely felt in the fourth quarter.
He will have to be effective and productive from start to finish in order to stave off the pesky Heat. Brown had 22 points in the series opener, while Malcolm Brogdon contributed 19 points off the bench. The Celtics are still fine with no reason to push the panic just yet. With another home game coming up, Boston should feel confident it can tie the series up before flying to Miami.
JefeBet Prediction
The Celtics continue to challenge the Heat’s interior defense after outscoring Miami in the paint in Game 1, 62-40. Miami cools off from deep and falters. Boston takes Game 2.
Prediction: The Celtics win, 110-99.
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