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Mark Zinno

Mark Zinno

(517) Miami Heat at (518) Boston Celtics

Event:
(517) Miami Heat at (518) Boston Celtics
Sport/League:
NBA
Date/Time:
April 24, 2024 7PM EDT
Play Rating:
5%
Odds:
-115
Play:
5% – (517) Miami Heat at (518) Boston Celtics Miami Heat Total Over 93.5 (-115)
Result:
Win
Analysis

It's Game 2 between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The Celtics dominated in Game 1 as expected 114-94. The Heat shot just 32.4% from beyond the arc which was a big reason for their lack of scoring, but once they were outscored by 10 in the 2nd quarter, the game was out of hand and there was no looking back. The Heat also only scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter. I'm going to back Erik Spolestra here and that he will have his team extra focused for Game 2 and put forth a much better offensive effort. The Heat have scored less than 100 in back-to-back games just twice this season. Once at the Knicks and Nets in late November when they scored 98 and 97 points. The second time was in late January at Orlando and then home against Memphis when they scored 87 and 96. Obviously with no Jimmy Butler, the Heat offense takes a hit. But Miami played 22 games without Butler this season and averaged 109 points per game. They scored less than 94 just three times without him. As long as Miami scores at least 20 points in every quarter, they should easily clear this number. They have to avoid that one quarter like they had in Game 1 when they scored 14. Again, I expect a much better offensive effort from a team that may be as well prepared to play against the Celtics as anyone, even without Jimmy Butler. Miami got to at least 100 in all three regular season meetings and one of them was without Butler in the lineup who scored just 14 & 17 points in the first two meetings. The biggest concern for me is the Heat pace, which is the second slowest in the NBA this season. I'm hoping that the Celtics are playing a little faster and forcing the Heat into more scoring. But this is just an insanely low number that I'm willing to play against. 

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