The No. 1 seed Boston Celtics go on the road to play against the No. 8 seed Miami Heat in Game 3 on Saturday evening. The Celtics swept that season series over the Heat, winning all three games. During the regular season, the Celtics were second in the NBA in scoring offense (120.6), while Miami was third in the league in scoring defense (108.1). Miami evened this 2024 NBA playoffs series with a 111-101 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) remain out for the Heat.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at Kaseya Center in Miami. Boston is a 10-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Heat odds, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 205.5. Before making any Heat vs. Celtics picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 90-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Heat and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Heat vs. Celtics:
- Heat vs. Celtics spread: Boston -10
- Heat vs. Celtics over/under: 205.5 points
- Heat vs. Celtics money line: Boston -478, Miami +362
- MIA: Has hit the Game Total Under in 57 of its last 95 games
- BOS: Has hit the 4Q Game Total Under in 51 of its last 77 games
- Heat vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Forward Jayson Tatum is a very athletic playmaker who has a great first step and shifts through defenses with no problem. The former Duke product has a smooth perimeter jumper and crashes the glass. In the playoffs, Tatum averages a team-best 25.5 points, nine rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. In Game 2, he had 28 points and eight rebounds.
Forward Jaylen Brown gives Boston another assertive and downhill scorer. Brown does a great job slashing to the basket and has the strength to finish in the lane. The 27-year-old is averaging 25 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in two playoff games. In his last outing, Brown totaled 33 points, eight boards, and made four 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
Why the Heat can cover
Forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has made an impact in his first season in the league. Jaquez Jr. uses his intangibles and high energy to make plays that don't come up in the box score. The UCLA product is a crafty finisher in the lane with a jumper that can space the floor. He's averaging 15 points, three rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the playoffs. In the Game 2 win, Jaquez Jr. tallied 14 points and two boards while knocking down three 3-pointers.
Guard Caleb Martin is another player who can step up on any given night. Martin is able to constantly get into the lane and is an improved jump shooter from beyond the arc. In Game 2, the Nevada product dropped 21 points, two boards, and made five 3-pointers. Last year in the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Celtics, Martin averaged 19.3 points and 6.4 boards per game. See which team to pick here.
How to make Heat vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 210 points. The model also says one side hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Heat, and which side hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Heat spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
