Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction, 9/19/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2020

Location: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 206.5

Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat play the Boston Celtics at AdventHealth Arena on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The line on this contest has Boston as 2.5-point favorites. The O/U is set at 206.5.

The Heat took a 2-0 series lead with a 106-101 win on Thursday night. Bam Adebayo had a solid night for Miami, tallying 21 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists. Goran Dragic added 25 for the winners. Kemba Walker played well for Boston in defeat, collecting 23 pts, 7 rebounds, and 3 dimes. Miami overcame a 13 point halftime deficit to win yet again when trailing. 

The Celtics cover the spread 60.5% of the time, having gone 49-32-4 ATS. Miami covers the spread 56.1% of the time, going 46-36-2 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

9/17/2020 Romeo Langford SG Hip Game Time Decision
9/17/2020 Javonte Green SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Sep 19
9/17/2020 Gordon Hayward SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Sep 19

Key Miami Heat Injuries

9/15/2020 Chris Silva PF Pelvis Expected to be out until at least Sep 19

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 23.4 points per game in 34.3 minutes per contest. He averages 3.0 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Kemba Walker comes into this contest averaging 20.4 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 19.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.7 rebounds per contest and 6.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Bam Adebayo averages 15.9 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 10.2 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 107.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they give up 22.4 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league. Boston averages 113.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 23.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 109.1 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 24.6 assists allowed per contest, and 3rd with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.0 per game. Miami is 15th in the league with 112.0 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.0. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game and 5th in assists per contest with 25.9. The Heat are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.3, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.5, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -2.5

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