The Heat has taken the lead again in this back and forth series and are showing why they are the number one seed in the East while this is not an unfamiliar position for the Celtics as they were down multiple times in round 2 against the Bucks. The Celtics’ resilience will be put to test as they play game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals at home.

The match starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, 23 May 2022. The game time by GMT is 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24. The match venue is TD Garden, Boston, MA.

Betting tips and match predictions for the Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat (May 23) game are available in this article. The latest betting odds, key stats, team news, and projected starting lineups are previewed below.

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat latest odds on betting sites

The Boston Celtics money line odds are priced at 1.36 (-278 American; 9/25 Fractional), while the Miami Heat money line odds are priced at 3.25 (+225; 9/4). This equals approximate probabilities of 70% against 30% respectively.

Over/Under:

• Over 207.5 points — 1.90 (-111; 9/10)
• Under 207.5 points — 1.90 (-111; 9/10)

Spread:

• Boston Celtics -6.5: 1.90 (-111; 9/10)
• Miami Heat +6.5: 1.90 (-111; 9/10)

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat match preview and statistics

The Celtics couldn’t capitalize on the home-court advantage to take the lead in the series as they faced multiple injuries mid-game in game 2. The Celtics couldn’t take advantage of Jimmy Butler’s absence in the second half and their comeback was cut short by the Heat’s 7-0 run late in the fourth.

Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with 40 points and added 9 rebounds while Al Horford dropped 20 points, 14 rebounds double-double.

Marcus Smart followed with 16 points and 7 assists while Jayson Tatum had a quiet night with 10 points and 6 boards.

Team statistics: 34/70 (48.6%) field goals, 12/32 (37.5%) 3 pointers, 23/30 (76.7%) free throws, 21 assists, 44 total rebounds, 2 steals, 7 blocks, 23 turnovers, 21 fouls.

Boston Celtics team news: Sam Hauser is ruled out for the match while Robert Williams III and Marcus Smart are listed as questionable for the match. Jayson Tatum is listed as probable for the game.

The Heat had a better start to game 3 and led by 26 points heading into the second half in what was looking like revenge for the blowout loss the Celtics handed the Heat in game 2. The Heat did everything right and prevented the Celtics from coming back in the 4th quarter to secure a 2-1 lead in the series.

Bam Adebayo had his best game in this postseason by leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals with 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals.

P.J. Tucker followed with 17 points, 7 boards and 3 steals while Max Strus added 16 points.

Kyle Lowry came up with 11 points and 6 assists.

Team statistics: 43/92 (46.7%) field goals, 11/33 (33.3%) 3 pointers, 12/14 (85.7%) free throws, 22 assists, 34 total rebounds, 4 blocks, 19 steals, 8 turnovers, 24 fouls.

Miami Heat team news: Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler are listed as questionable for the game. Jimmy Butler is expected to be available for the Miami Heat.

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 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 2-1.

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat lineups and key players

Boston Celtics projected starting lineup:

• Point guard: Marcus Smart
• Shooting guard: Jaylen Brown
• Small forward: Jayson Tatum
• Power forward: Al Horford
• Center: Daniel Theis

Jayson Tatum is the key player to watch out for. The Celtics in this playoff have lost both games where he posted only 10 points, showing their dependency on the superstar forward. He is pivotal to the Celtics getting back in this series as the team’s offense flows through him.

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

Bam Adebayo is the key player to watch out for. Although Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the second quarter in game 3, Bam Adebayo was able to take advantage of the Celtics’ lack of rim protection. If the Celtics are back to full strength in game 4, they will need him to replicate such dominance.

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat predictions and betting tips

The Celtics in game 3 uncharacteristically turned over the ball 23 times, compared to the Heat’s 8 turnovers. This essentially took the game away from them as the Heat scored 33 points off the Celtics’ turnovers. Heading into game 4, the Celtics need to do better and limit their turnovers at least to their postseason average of 13.2.

The Celtics need Jayson Tatum to be the man in game 4, he was poor in game 3 but we have seen him average about 33 points in games that followed his 10 points performance in the Bucks series. With the Celtics expecting Robert Williams back in the lineup in game 4, giving them the rim protection they lacked in game 3, Bam Adebayo will not be able to dominate the Celtics’ paint as he’s done earlier giving the Celtics the edge as they also play at home and will look to even the series. I pick the Celtics to take game 4. Predictions for this game are the Boston Celtics to win and over 207.5 points.

Betting prediction: Boston Celtics to win

Odds: 1.36 (-278 American; 9/25 Fractional)

Betting prediction: Over 207.5 points

Odds: 1.90 (-111 American; 9/10 Fractional)