Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction, 5/17/2022 Preview and Pick

Game: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Location: FTX Arena in Miami, FL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Boston (+2)

The Miami Heat are welcoming the Boston Celtics at FTX Arena on Tuesday in Game 1 of their series. Boston opens as 2-point dogs. The betting total is set at 206.5.

The Celtics faced the Bucks and earned the victory with a final of 109-81 to close out their series. Boston walked away from the contest with a 42.0% field goal percentage (37 of 88) and knocked down 22 of their 55 shots from 3-point land. From the free throw line, the Celtics knocked down 13 of 18 shots for a rate of 72.2%. Regarding pulling down rebounds, they earned 48 with 8 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 29 assists in the matchup while forcing 5 turnovers and getting 5 steals. When it comes to the defense, Boston allowed 36.7% from the floor on 33 out of 90 shooting. Milwaukee dished out 56 dimes and had 20 steals for the contest. Additionally, Milwaukee grabbed 45 rebounds (11 offensive, 34 defensive) and earned 7 rejections. Milwaukee finished shooting 68.8% from the free throw line by making 11 of their 16 shots. They made 4 of their 33 shots from beyond the arc. In regard to personal fouls, the Celtics finished with 19 while the Bucks totaled 13 personal fouls.

Grant Williams is one guy who was a factor in the matchup. He ended up with 27 points on 10 of 22 shooting. He played 39 mins and also pulled down 6 boards. Williams ended up going 45.5% from the field but didn't record a dime.

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Boston will enter this contest with a record of 51-31 this year. They average 111.8 pts per game (12th in the league) while connecting on 46.6% from the field. The Celtics are shooting 35.6% on three-point shots (1,085 of 3,044) and 81.6% from the free throw line. As a team, Boston is pulling in 46.1 rebounds per contest and has accumulated 2,036 dimes on the season, which is 14th in the league in terms of passing. They lose possession via turnover 13.6 times per game and as a team are committing 18.5 fouls every game.

When they are on defense, the Celtics are forcing 13.8 turnovers per game and they draw 19.4 personal fouls. They are giving up 33.9% on shots from beyond the arc while they are 1st in the league in points per game allowed (104.5). The Celtics defense is giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 43.4% (3,137 of 7,221) and they surrender 43.7 boards per contest as a group. They are currently ranked 1st in the league in allowing assists to the opposition with 1,773 surrendered so far this season.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Heat walked away with a victory by a final of 99-90 when they played the 76ers to close out their series. The Heat were able to collect 36 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive boards for a total of 49 for this game. They also turned it over 12 times, while recording 7 steals in this matchup. The 76ers were called for 13 personal fouls in the game which got the Heat to the free throw line for 11 shots. They were able to bury 8 of the free throws for a clip of 72.7%. Regarding shooting from 3-point land, Miami converted 7 of their 28 attempts (25.0%). When the final whistle blew, the Heat went 42 for 87 from the floor which gave them a rate of 48.3%. The Heat allowed the 76ers to knock down 36 of their 87 tries from the floor which gave them a percentage of 41.4% in this game. They finished 32.4% from distance by connecting on 12 out of 37 and walked away from this one shooting 6 of 7 at the charity stripe (85.7%). When discussing how they rebounded, Miami allowed Philadelphia to snag 29 in all (6 on the offensive glass).

Jimmy Butler ended up being a factor for the Heat for the matchup. He buried 13 out of 29 for the game giving him a rate of 44.8%, and accounted for 8 rebounds. Butler earned 32 points in his 43 minutes on the court and added 4 assists for this game.

Miami has a win-loss mark of 53-29 this year. The Heat are committing 20.5 fouls per game and they hit 80.8% from the free throw line. They are dishing out assists 25.5 times per contest (8th in the league) and they are turning it over 14.6 times per contest. Miami has accumulated 9,022 pts on the year (110.0 per game) and they average 43.7 boards per contest. On the offensive side of the court, the Heat are shooting 46.7% from the field, which has them ranked 13th in the league.

The Miami defense gives up 33.9% on three-point shots (1,064 of 3,138) and opponents are converting on 77.9% of their foul shots. They have allowed 23.3 dimes and 41.7 rebounds per game, which ranks them 4th and 2nd in basketball. The Heat defensively are ranked 4th in the NBA in PPG surrendered with 105.6. They are able to force 15.0 TO's every game and have let teams shoot 44.7% from the floor (4th in basketball).

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Boston (+2)

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