NBA Playoffs: Betting Trends, Odds & Futures For Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference Finals

If we're lucky, we'll get another seven-game series in the east as the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics get ready to square off in what could be an epic matchup.

Boston is clearly playoff-tested given what they went through against the Bucks, overcoming a 3-2 deficit and winning back-to-back games which of course includes a Game 7 win. Boston now moves on to see the Miami Heat, who have been sitting tight since their dismantling of the eroding Sixers.

I still maintain that the winner of that Celtics Bucks series is going to the NBA Finals, and there's no backing down from that at this point. As great as the Heat were at times against Philly, the Bucks made for one heck of a test, and the Celtics passed.

For now, Boston opens as the favorite to win the series (-175 on FanDuel), but the Heat certainly won't make it easy on them that's for sure.

MORE: BETTING PLAYBOOK FOR CELTICS-HEAT GAME 1

Jimmy Butler has been locked in, averaging 27.5 points per game on 51 percent shooting last round, so the Celtics will obviously have to make every effort to make his life miserable like they did to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo (at least the first two games anyway). The Celtics want the rest of the Heat to try and beat them, especially Tyler Herro, who after having a great regular season, averaged just 14.7 points per game in the second round.

Boston has been able to get a ton of help from more than just Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, which makes it a game-by-game guess as to who will be the third offensive weapon for them.

MORE: SEE THE BETQL STAFF'S BEST BETS FOR CELTICS-HEAT GAME 1

It started with Al Horford, who had 52 combined points in games two and three, with Marcus Smart putting up 18, 15, and 21 points in games, four, five, and six. Then came the Grant Williams show in Game 7, making 7-of-18 threes to throw in 27 points in the series-clinching win.

The Heat come in with the second-best defensive rating in the playoffs, and they'll need to keep that same pace against an incredibly confident Celtics team. Then again, Boston is right behind them in the same rating, so both will lean heavily on their aggressive defensive game plans all series long.

The big thing to keep in mind as we head into Game 1, Boston is 5-0 ATS as a road underdog in the playoffs, while Miami is 5-1 ATS as a home favorite. Obviously, something has to give, but with the Celtics also 4-1 SU on the road in the playoffs, it's clear they can be a strong play in any situation, including where they sit Tuesday night.

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Celtics vs. Heat Best Bets & Expert Picks

If you're looking at it being a long series, a full seven games comes in at +195, the lowest odds on the board, but it just feels like we're going in that direction with these two teams.

Remember that the NBA also added an MVP award for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals this year, and Tatum leads the way to win at +105, with Butler next up at +200. If you're all-in on the Celtics like I am, then the logical bet for that MVP would be Tatum, but Brown at +900 brings a whole lot more value if Miami finds a way to make Tatum's series a struggle.

Give me the Celtics in seven though, and Tatum taking that MVP.

Dan Karpuc: Celtics -1.5 Games vs. Heat (+115, DraftKings)
Yes, I’m a Celtics fan. Yes, this is a biased pick. Now that those admissions are out of the way, how can you not like Boston with the cohesiveness they’re playing with on both ends of the court? As seen in just about every previous NBA season, conference championship and NBA Finals games are often decided by big shots in the closing minutes. Boston is comfortable with either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown taking those shots. Who are the Heat going to turn to? Jimmy Butler? Not a great idea. Kyle Lowry? He’s not healthy and has struggled. Tyler Herro? He’s unproven as a clutch shooter. While the Heat have a number of guys who can step up and knock down shots throughout the course of a game, it’s tough to identify the go-to alpha in those late-game situations. Having watched every single minute of these NBA playoffs so far for both of these teams, I think the Celtics have the edge on both ends of the court and should take care of business in five or six games.

Lucy Burdge: Celtics-Heat 7 Game Series (+190, DraftKings)

The Bucks were a difficult task that the Celtics were able to handle in seven games and I think it will take that many to down the Heat. I believe Boston will win this series and will do it in seven. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams all had a huge Game 7 against the Bucks and the momentum and confidence stemming from their performances there could propel them in this series to be able to keep up with the Heat. But I still think this Heat team with Jimmy Butler is so good that it will take seven games to get this done.

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