The Miami Heat will try to take a commanding lead on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night as the teams hit the hardwood at TD Garden in Game 3 of the series.
The Heat took a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday, beating the Celtics 115-111 at home in overtime while failing to cover the posted spread at the sportsbooks. LeBron James had 34 points on the night.
The Celtics sport records of 39-27 and 34-31-1 ATS heading into this matchup, while the Heat sit at 46-20 and 32-34 ATS on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 29-37 for the Celtics and 25-39-2 for the Heat.
View Miami vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook line for this matchup, the Celtics sat as early 1.5-point favorites at shops such as Sportsbook. The total had been pegged by the oddsmakers at Sportsbook at 179.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 5-rated Heat taking on the No. 17-rated Celtics in this contest. Computer models indicate a possible 99-96 win for the Heat on Friday.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Boston's No. 26-ranked offense, averaging 91.8 PPG, against a Heat defense that ranks No. 4 at 92.5 PPG. The Celtics field goal percentage has averaged 46% so far, less than the Heat shooters have achieved on the year, 46.9% per game.
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Heat own the league's No. 10-rated mark, allowing 95.5 points per game when on the road. Boston, on the other hand, rates No. 28 in home scoring.
The Celtics were a 115-111 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Heat. They covered the 7.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (226) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Rajon Rondo was dynamite, scoring 44 points and adding 8 rebounds but Miami still won, 115-111, over Boston on Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 9-1
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 9-1
A few Heat at Celtics trends to consider:
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami's last 11 games on the road
Boston is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Miami
Boston is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Miami at Boston, Sunday, June 3
Boston home to Miami, Sunday, June 3
