Erik Spoelstra can taste the finals again, but his Miami Heat need one more win against the Boston Celtics before officially booking his return to the final round of the playoffs. The Celtics are out to fight for their title hopes, so expect a tight contest this Friday.
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Betting Preview for the Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Finals Game 5 on September 25, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Friday, September 25, 2020, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (-3) – view all 2019-20 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Miami Heat (+3)
Regular Season Record: 44-29
Tyler Herro was the talk of the NBA world Wednesday night, as the rookie exploded for 37 points on 14-of-21 shooting from the field in 36 minutes off the bench to help Miami score a 112-109 win in Game 4. Herro was a one-man wrecking crew, especially, in the second half. Herro bridged the balance of offensive contribution on the Heat from the starters to the relievers. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Jimmy Butler scored 24 points to go with nine rebounds, while Goran Dragic put up 22 points. What’s impressive about the Heat win is that Duncan Robinson wasn’t even part of the party, as the shooter went 0-of-5 from the field and 0-of-4 from deep, scoring all his three points from the foul line. The Heat, who are shooting over 36 percent from behind the arc in the playoffs, went just 10-of-37 on their 3-point attempts in Game 4. Robinson can get off anytime, but what’s more consistent is the Heat’s defense that forced the Celtics to commit 19 turnovers. With great pressure now on the Celtics, the last thing they want to see is Butler and company pestering them in Game 5.
The Heat are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (-3)
Regular Season Record: 48-24
The Celtics played catch-up basketball most of the night in Game 4, and that seemed to tire them out in the fourth quarter where they couldn’t stop Herro. The game’s complexion could have been easier for the Celtics to manage if only Jayson Tatum showed up earlier. Tatum went scoreless in the entire first half, pouring in all his 28 points in the final two quarters. Boston can’t afford for its best scorer to lay low at any point in the game when he’s on the floor. Tatum will have to establish his offense early and sustain it throughout the game. Marcus Smart shot 3-of-12 and finished with 10 points. It might be a good idea if the Celtics limit Smart’s shots and give some to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, who are better in creating for themselves and more efficient. After all, Smart is a capable creator for his teammates, even leading the Celtics with 11 assists in Game 4.
The over is 5-4 in the Celtics’ last 10 games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
The Celtics win, 107-103.
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