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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
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Tyler Herro had a huge game 2 and led the Heat to a victory while splitting the series before heading back to Miami. This was a gutsy performance but I believe they caught Boston napping and I believe the Celtics will be motivated in game 3. Boston knows the key to stopping Miami is slowing down Herro and this is simply a big number for the combo guard.
Curiously, Boston continues to have its struggles at home in the playoffs, losing Game 2 at TD Garden vs. the underdog Heat, and now has to go on the road to regain home edge against the no-Jimmy Butler Miami. One wonders, however, if the Celtics' recent inconsistencies (which surfaced late in the regular season) might suggest Boston has simply gone flat, Before going there, however, will note that both previous games in this series cleared 204, and each side has been trending hard to the "over" in recent weeks (Celtics "over" 14-5 last 19; Heat "over" 11-3 last 14). Play Celtics-Heat "Over"
We're not asking Derrick White to do anything he hasn't already. White has eclipsed this number in both games against Miami. I understand the books adjusting for a road game, but Miami actually plays worse defense at home and allows 2% high 3-point percentage. He's had three recent single digit games which I think is adjusting this line, but before that was on a nine game streak to this over. White historically doesn't have issues on the road and I don't anticipate it beginning tonight.
Jaime Jaquez has had a solid rookie season for the Heat and has stepped up in the absence of Jimmy Butler. That being said, I believe the Heat are going to face an angry Celtics team that is going to first and foremost look to smother Miami similar to their game 1 performance. Either way this is a big combo line for Jaquez who just barely eclipsed this line in game 1 while shooting 50% from the field. Look for another dominant defensive effort from the Celtics who looked vulnerable in Game 2.