For the second straight year, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will square off in the Eastern Conference Finals. Unlike last year, though, the Celtics will start with home court advantage with the second seeded Celtics hosting the eighth seeded Heat. In our NBA betting picks for Wednesday night, we break down Heat vs Celtics Game 1 from TD Garden.
Heat vs Celtics Game 1 Betting Pick
| ℹ️ The Pick: | Heat +8 |
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This game will be played at TD Garden at 8:30 PM ET on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Why Bet the Heat:
✅ Boston has been vulnerable at home in this postseason, losing outright as a favorite once against the Hawks and twice against the 76ers. They should win this game, but it is not guaranteed to be a straightforward affair.
✅ Miami’s defense will make things tough on the Celtics throughout Game 1, as the Heat ranked second in the NBA in defense during the regular season. They have been even better in the postseason, and will be a thorn in the side of the Celtics.
✅ Miami has the best record against the spread this postseason at 8-3.
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Miami Heat
The Miami Heat came into the NBA Playoffs not expected to last past the first round, as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference was tasked with facing the top seeded Milwaukee Bucks. But the Heat ran through the Bucks in five games, then did the same to the fifth seeded New York Knicks. Now, Miami is in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year, as they look to exact revenge on the Celtics for beating them in last year’s conference finals.
TD Garden was good to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago. Jimmy Butler scored 47 in Game 6 of that series a year ago, and the Heat have proven that they are not afraid of big stages on the road. Here, the mental fortitude of the Heat could be more valuable than the physical ability that they possess.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics took care of business against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of their second round series on Sunday, ending Doc Rivers’ tenure as Sixers head coach. Now, the Celtics are favorites to get to the NBA Finals as they face the eighth seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. But for the Celtics to make the Finals, they need to protect home court.
Boston has already lost three times at home this postseason, making things tougher than they have needed to be. If the Celtics do not come out and play at a high level at home in Game 1, they could relinquish home court advantage once again.
