NBA Player Props, Breakdown, Odds, and Picks (May 21)

• The Heat lead the Eastern Conference Finals series 2-0 against the Celtics.
• The Celtics need to stop Jimmy Butler if they want to get anything from Game 3.
• Jayson Tatum needs to do even better scoring-wise this evening.

We’ve got some NBA Player props for you!

After two games of the Celtics vs Heat series, we’ve learned our lesson – do not bet against Jimmy Butler. The 33-year-old has been brilliant in Eastern Conference Finals, helping the Heat get a 2-0 lead. Now, the series moves to Miami and the visitors from Boston have no other option but to go all-in this evening. Not only do the Celtics need to stop Butler, but they also need to start scoring more.

Celtics vs Heat

• When: Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 8:30 p.m ET
• Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
• Channel: TNT

Odds

Historical odds are unavailable. The original analysis is preserved.

Prop Pick

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston’s forward Jayson Tatum was the points leader. He scored 34 points (seven more than Miami’s leader Butler), which sure seems great. However, there’s a caveat – he missed a whole lot more.

Tatum hit just 10 of his 20 field goal attempts and went 3-for-10 from the three-point line. He needs to up those numbers ASAP if he wants his team to get to the NBA Finals.

But just scoring a lot probably won’t be enough. To beat the Heat in Miami, Tatum & Co. also need to do well defensively. They need to stop Butler somehow, and the way to do it is to be even better in the air. Truth be told, Tatum was great jumping-wise in the last game, recording 13 rebounds (12 defensive rebounds). We expect nothing less from him this evening.

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On top of everything, we also expect to see Tatum record a decent number of assists as only a team effort can help the Celtics make it 2-1.