Cole K’s Best NBA Bets Today: Celtics vs. Heat Props & Predictions 5/17/22

Welcome to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, where the Miami Heat are opening up their series against the Boston Celtics tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET at FTX Arena in Miami. In a rematch of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals, which took place in the Bubble, these teams are poised to make this series a defensive battle with at least six, if not seven games. These teams are elite on the defensive end of the floor, and the Heat are allowing only 97.5 points per game. Heading into this series, the 3-point shot is going to be a deciding factor for both teams, as the Celtics relied on it to beat the Bucks and the Heat have been incredible at defending it this postseason, holding their first two opponents to 33.9%.

Before jumping into Game 1 predictions, it is important to note the series odds, which currently have the Celtics as -175 favorites and the Heat +155 underdogs. If the Celtics side does interest you for the series, it might be beneficial to wait to bet on them until after Game 1 … and why that might be MORE PROFITABLE is explained below. Be sure to utilize OddsShopper before making your wagers, so you an ensure you are getting the best odds for all of your NBA player props and matchups. Let’s get to the best NBA bets today and some Celtics vs. Heat predictions.

Best NBA Bets Today: Playoff Picks & Predictions

Celtics vs. Heat Prediction (Get $200 FREE on BetMGM)

With only two series left in the NBA, there are ways to still have a few bets each night, whether it comes from quarter or half betting or finding value in the player prop market. In this game tonight, the primary focus is going to be on the point spread. The Heat are currently 1.5-point favorites, and in this one, that is going to be the play at -110 odds. The Heat are fresh off five days of rest, while the Celtics are coming into Miami after a highly emotional Game 7 against the Bucks on Sunday. FTX Arena has been kind to the Heat thus far in the playoffs, where they are perfect (6-0) at home and have outscored opponents by 17 points per game, which is an astounding number in the playoffs. Although the Celtics hit 25 3-pointers in Game 7 on Sunday, it will be tough to repeat that type of production on the road in Miami against the league’s No. 1 3-point defense. Miami is an elite home team, and those who like Boston in this series should grab them when they go down 0-1 and get a much better series price after the Heat win and cover in Game 1 tonight.

Best NBA Bet Today: Miami Heat -1.5 (-110)


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Bam Adebayo O/U 27.5 Pts+Reb+Ast (Get $200 FREE on BetMGM)

When browsing OddsShopper this morning, one player stood out over the rest in the player prop market — Bam Adebayo. His points/rebounds/assists prop looks like a great bet to target in Game 1. Adebayo is going to have to play a huge role if the Heat want to pull the upset in this series. Although he did not have glaring numbers last round against the 76ers, Adebayo had a great defensive series, and his primary role was to defend Joel Embiid rather than be an offensive threat. In this series against the Celtics, Adebayo should be much more of a factor on the offensive end of the floor. His points/rebounds/assists prop is sitting at 27.5. Jimmy Butler needs someone to step up and be a consistent second option with Kyle Lowry expected to be sidelined to start this series. With Adebayo having a plus matchup against the Celtics, it could very well be him. OddsShopper projects him for 16.7, 9.7 and 2.8, which would surpass his line of 27.5, but what really helps his case is his assists numbers against the Celtics. In his last three regular season games against Boston, Adebayo was a playmaker, leading the Heat with 17 assists, which included 38 potential assists. If Adebayo can add four or five assists to his usual points and rebound totals, this is a solid prop at 27.5, and it is smart to bet the over at -115 odds.

Best NBA Player Prop Bet Today: Bam Adebayo Over 27.5 Points, Rebounds, Assists (-115)

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