The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat meet for Game 6 of their best-of-7 Eastern Conference Finals series Saturday at Kaseya Center. The Heat lead the series 3-2. Tip is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT).
The Celtics slipped into an 0-3 series hole, but Boston hasn’t shown any signs of quitting. The C’s staved off elimination in Miami with a 116-99 win in Game 4 as 1-point ‘dogs and then routed the Heat 110-97 at TD Garden in Game 5 to force the series back to South Florida.
Defensive play has been the key for the Celtics. Miami scored an average of 120.7 points per game (PPG), with at least 111 in each of the 3 wins. The Heat have been held to just 99 and 97 points in their 2 losses.
Celtics at Heat odds
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Heat +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -2.5 (-115) | Heat +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Heat key injuries
Celtics
- G Malcolm Brogdon (forearm) questionable
Heat
- G Gabe Vincent (ankle) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 105, Heat 102
Moneyline
The CELTICS (-150) are moderate favorites on the road, which might be a little surprising to some. However, Boston seems to play best when its season is on the line, going 4-0 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) in 4 games when facing elimination.
The Heat are 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in the past 8 postseason games on their home floor, so you can expect this to be a nail-biter finish. However, look for the C’s to force a Game 7 back in Boston.
Against the spread
CELTICS -2.5115) is the play, but go lightly. I prefer the moneyline, even though it’s considerably more costly because I think this is going to be a 1-possession game.
The Heat have been money at the Kaseya Center, covering 6 of the past 8 outings, although their only straight-up loss during that span was Game 4 against the C’s.
Over/Under
UNDER 210.5110) is the lean, but again, play it rather lightly.
Boston has returned to basics, playing tenacious defense and taking a little more care in the shot-selection department. Boston was jacking up wild shots over the first 3 games of the series, but it has been much more efficient in the past 2 outings, while also working to rag the clock a bit.