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The Boston Celtics will try to get the homecourt advantage back against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the first-round series in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Celtics are on the road after their shock 111-101 loss in Game 2 against a short-handed Heat team without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.
Miami caught fire in Game 2 and knocked down a franchise playoff record 23 3-point shots. The Celtics kept it close, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the only players who were doing something on offense. It was a stunning performance for the Heat, who stole homecourt advantage as the No. 8 seed.
Game 1 was a totally different story, with the Celtics dominating that one, with many believing that the series will be easy. Many were proven wrong as the daunting "Heat Culture" powered Miami to an upset victory in Game 2 and will try to do the same again here.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat preview, prediction, odds and betting tips
The Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Game 3 is on Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. It starts at 6 p.m. EDT and will be nationally televised on TNT. It's also available through the local channel NBC Sports Boston.
Moneyline: Celtics (-320) vs Heat (+250)
Spread: Celtics -7.5 (-108) vs Heat +7.5 (-108)
Total (O/U): Celtics o205.5 (-106) vs Heat u205.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat preview
The Boston Celtics dominated the regular season and ran away with the best record in the league. The Celtics have their best chance at winning a championship but will need to solve the Miami Heat puzzle.
They failed last season, but this series would sting if they cannot recover. Miami has the advantage in coaching, and the players have the nothing left to lose attitude. All the pressure is on Boston as well after the domination they showed in the regular season.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat starting lineups, subs and rotation
The Boston Celtics have only one player on the injury report, Luke Kornet, who is probable to suit up. Coach Joe Mazzulla is expected to stick to his usual starting five of:
PG: Jrue Holiday | SG: Derrick White | SF: Jaylen Brown | PF: Jayson Tatum | C: Kristaps Porzingis
Mazzulla's rotation for the playoffs includes Al Horford, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser.
The Miami Heat will be without at least three players – Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson. Coach Erik Spoelstra will likely use the same starting lineups from Games 1 and 2:
PG: Tyler Herro | SG: Caleb Martin | SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr. | PF: Nikola Jovic | C: Bam Adebayo
Spoelstra's rotation for the postseason includes Kevin Love, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson and Delon Wright.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat betting tips
Jayson Tatum has an over/under of 26.5 points, which is below his regular season average. Tatum has played well in the first two games, so he will likely continue scoring at least 27 points. Bet on Tatum to go over 26.5 points.
Tyler Herro is favored to go under 20.5 points, which is right around his season average. Herro was coming off a huge night in Game 2 but was abysmal in Game 1. With the Heat playing at home and having momentum, take the risk, and bet against the odds for Herro to score at least 21 points.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat prediction
The Boston Celtics enter Game 3 as the favorites to beat the Miami Heat and regain homecourt advantage.
The Celtics topped the regular season by a mile and should be primed for a bounce-back. But their invincibility was destroyed two games into the playoffs by a short-handed Heat team, hence the drastic change in odds.
Nevertheless, the Celtics are predicted to get the win, the Heat to cover the spread and the total to go over 205.5 points.
