The Heat who maintain their dominance when playing at home has taken game 1 again in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics down by 1-0, will be looking to even things out with the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This is the second encounter between both teams in the Conference finals in two years as they faced each other in 2020.

The match starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, 19 May 2022. The game time by GMT is 12:30 a.m. on Friday, May 20. The match venue is FTX Arena, Miami, FL.

Betting tips and match predictions for the Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics (May 19) game are available in this article. The latest betting odds, key stats, team news, and projected starting lineups are previewed below.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics latest odds on betting sites

The Miami Heat money line odds are priced at 1.60 (-166 American; 50/83 Fractional), while the Boston Celtics money line odds are priced at 2.45 (+145; 29/20). This equals approximate probabilities of 60% against 40% respectively.

Over/Under:

• Over 207.5 points — 1.91 (-110; 10/11)
• Under 207.5 points — 1.91 (-110; 10/11)

Spread:

• Miami Heat -3.5: 1.91 (-110; 10/11)
• Boston Celtics +3.5: 1.91 (-110; 10/11)

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics match preview and statistics

The Heat had a slow start to game one and were trailing by as much as 8 points by halftime. A huge second-half turnaround with the 3rd quarter being the game-changer where they outscored the Celtics by 25 points to round things up in the fourth and get the home win. The Miami Heat in the postseason are still undefeated at home. Jimmy Butler exploded again in game 1 with 41 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks.

Tyler Herro from the bench impressed with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists while Gabe Vincent stepped up with 17 points and 3 assists.

Max Strus dropped 11 points and 2 steals while Bam Adebayo had 10 boards, 4 assists and team-high 4 blocks.

Team statistics: 39/80 (48.8%) field goals, 10/30 (33.3%) 3 pointers, 30/34 (88.2%) free throws, 18 assists, 39 total rebounds, 12 blocks, 10 steals, 12 turnovers, 24 fouls.

Miami Heat team news: Kyle Lowry is ruled out for the game.

The Celtics, although got off to a hot start, ending the first half with an eight points lead, they had a disastrous 2nd half in game one and threw away the chance to take an important home win in the series. The Celtics were 0-7 to begin the third quarter and they didn’t make a basket until seven minutes into the quarter. The Celtics’ performance in the third quarter is the second-worst in their playoffs history.

Jason Tatum led the team with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while Jaylen Brown followed with 24 points and 10 rebounds double-double.

Robert Williams III marked his return to the lineup with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks while Payton Pritchard was big for the Celtics, dropping 18 points from the bench.

Team statistics: 36/79 (45.6%) field goals, 11/34 (32.4%) 3 pointers, 24/32 (75.0%) free throws, 22 assists, 38 total rebounds, 8 steals, 8 blocks, 16 turnovers, 23 fouls.

Boston Celtics team news: Sam Hauser is ruled out for the match while Al Horford and Marcus Smart are listed as probable for the match

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics H2H

The last time they met in the postseason was in the Eastern Conference finals of the 2020 playoffs and the Heat won the series 4-2. The Heat leads the series 1-0.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics lineups and key players

Miami Heat projected starting lineup:

• Point guard: Gabe Vincent
• Shooting guard: Max Strus
• Small forward: Jimmy Butler
• Power forward: P.J Tucker
• Center: Bam Adebayo

Jimmy Butler is the key player to watch out for. He has impressed this postseason with 29.8ppg on 53.5% shooting and he dropped 41 points in game 1 against the Celtics. He was unstoppable for the Celtics in game 1 and the team’s offence flowed through him.

Boston Celtics projected starting lineup:

• Point guard: Derrick White
• Shooting guard: Jaylen Brown
• Small forward: Jayson Tatum
• Power forward: Grant Williams
• Center: Robert Williams III

Jayson Tatum is the key player to watch out for. He is leading the team’s offence with 28.3ppg in the playoffs. He dropped 29 points in game 1 against the Heat although he had a bad second half, he’s capable of big game performance and he’s one to look out for.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics predictions and betting tips

The Heat team cruised past the shorthanded Celtics in game 1 and with the Celtics expecting their best defensive player Marcus Smart back in game 2, the Miami Heat won’t have it easy in game 2. Miami Heat forced turnovers out of the Celtics with 16 turnovers compared to the 13.4 turnovers they average in the postseason, if the Heat can keep up with this defensive energy, they will have a better chance at taking game 2. Both the Heat and Celtics rely heavily on defence and game 2 will be largely determined by the team that plays better defence.

The Celtics need Jayson Tatum to be the man and also the role players should step up because Grant Williams in game 1 was just the shadow of what he was in game 7 against the Bucks, with Marcus Smart back in the lineup, the Celtics will be able to limit their turnovers, share the ball better and even play better defence against the Heat which puts them in a better position to take game 2 and bring the series to level terms. Predictions for this game are the Boston Celtics to win and over 207.5 points.

Betting prediction: Boston Celtics to win

Odds: 2.45 (+145 American; 29/20 Fractional)

Betting prediction: Over 207.5 points

Odds: 1.91 (-110 American; 10/11 Fractional)