Heat vs Celtics Odds, and Picks (Game 5)

• The Heat finally dropped a game, losing in Game 4.
• Boston kept the series alive with their 116-99 victory.
• Miami is now 5-3 on the season as a whole against the Celtics.

The Celtics (66-33) and the Heat (55-42) face off in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami is looking to close the series out and avoid Game 6, while Boston will aim to win the series in historic fashion.

How to Watch

• TNT

Preview

Miami was unable to complete the series sweep, dropping Game 4 at home against the Celtics. They’ve definitely been the better team in this series, but they also can’t start thinking about the Finals quite yet. With Game 5 in Boston, Game 6 seems likely, and a loss there would be devastating. At the same time, the Heat already won twice in Boston, and can just as easily close it out in Game 5. They need to shoot better.

The Celtics salvaged their season in Game 4, avoiding the embarrassment of a sweep, and earning a trip back home for Game 5. They still have an enormous uphill battle to climb back into this series, needing to win 3 more games to complete the improbable reverse sweep. For now, they need to take it one game at a time and focus on winning in Boston, which they haven’t done yet this series. Defense will be crucial here.

Picks

It’s difficult to determine who will win these types of playoff games with a huge gap in between the two teams. Traditional logic suggests Boston will win at home in Game 5, and then lose at Miami in Game 6, which seems to be what most people are expecting. On the other hand, these playoffs have not been traditional, and the Heat have been by far the better team in this series. I’m taking Miami in Game 5.

Moneyline:

• Heat +220

Spread:

• Heat +5.0