Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 27/05/2023, 04:53  by Joseph King | Modified on 27/05/2023 at 04:55 in NBA Predictions

The Eastern Conference Finals enters game six with the Boston Celtics looking to even up the series against the Miami Heat. The second-seed Celtics have pulled the series back to 3-2 against the eighth-seed Heat after initially falling down 3-0. They will now be tasked with winning in South Beach which would bring the series back to Boston for a sensational game seven. The Celtics have faced elimination four times already this postseason and have emerged victorious in all four. The Denver Nuggets await the winner of this series in the NBA Finals after sweeping the Lakers in the West.

So, what has changed in the last two games for Boston compared to their first three? It’s simple - their shots are falling. The NBA is often dubbed a ‘make or miss league’ for exactly this reason. Boston shot 29.2% from three-point range in the games one to three compared to 40.5% in games four and five. The Celtics got a massive lift from their role players over the last two games as well. Game four saw six Boston players score over double-digits while game five saw Derrick White and Marcus Smart drop 24 and 23 points, respectively. 

Despite losing the last two in a row, Miami are still in a favorable position. They will be in front of the home fans for game six with a chance to close out the series and advance to the NBA Finals. The Heat have proven that they can win in Boston this season, as evidenced by their wins in games one and two. However, they may well be viewing game six as a must-win spot. The momentum that the Celtics would have playing in front of a raucous home crowd should we arrive at game seven would be monumental.