Celtics vs Heat Game 4: Boston Facing Elimination

• The Heat are up 3-0 in the series 
• Miami won Game 3 by 26 points, their largest margin of the series 
• Gabe Vincent had a career-high 29 points in Game 3

The Boston Celtics have dropped the ball throughout the Eastern Conference Finals and are now facing a 3-0 deficit to the Miami Heat. The Heat have done everything right and consistently thrown punches at Boston. The Celtics haven’t been able to fight back and have forgotten how to play basketball throughout the series. Boston was beaten by Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson in Game 3. This makes the loss even more embarrassing for the Celtics, so don’t count on them to be the first team in NBA history to win four straight. Let’s break down the best ways to make money on Game 4.

Celtics vs Heat FanDuel Promo

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The free credit can be used anywhere on the site, which makes the promo ideal. If you’re sick of the NBA, you can take the credit to an NHL or MLB bet and not think twice. FanDuel is one of the best sportsbooks in the industry, and there is a lot to know about the platform. 

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Celtics vs Heat Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Celtics vs Heat Preview

The Celtics opened as three-point favorites in Game 3 on the road. The public hammered Boston, causing their line to jump up to -4.5 by the opening tip. This turned out to be a donation as the Heat pulled off their largest victory of the series. The world has been waiting for the Celtics to show up, and the betting splits have reflected this fact, but it hasn’t occurred in three games. Whether the Celtics find a way to force a Game 5 or not, this series is effectively over. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, and Boston doesn’t look anything like a championship-caliber franchise at this point. The Celtics' poor play has been combined with Miami playing their best basketball of the season. 

The Heat weren’t a dominant regular season team, but this reputation must be thrown out the window. Every player for Miami seems to be making shots, and Boston doesn’t have an answer. The Heat shot 56.8% from the field and 54.3% from the three-point line in Game 3. Even if the Celtics were playing quality basketball, these numbers would still be tough to match. 

Boston has one of the best duos in the NBA, but neither Jayson Tatum nor Jaylen Brown have shown up in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it’s hard to put the losses totally on the players. Joe Mazzulla has been consistently outcoached throughout the playoffs, and it has been glaring in this series. He doesn’t know when to use his timeouts and has no game plan to get Tatum involved late in contests. If this doesn’t get fixed in Game 4, Boston will officially begin their preparation for the 2023-23 season. 

Boston Celtics Preview

The Celtics don’t know how to play basketball anymore. This statement may seem slightly biased, but if you’ve watched any part of the Eastern Conference Finals, you know this is the truth. If Boston has any pride in themselves as a group, they’ll find a way to at least put up a fight in the rest of the series. 

The Celtics have historically played best when their backs are against the wall. Yet, they’re in a situation no team in NBA history has ever overcome. The main thing we will see in Game 4 is Tatum shooting early and often. He tends to take over scoring in high-pressure situations, and he is Boston’s one hope of forcing Game 5. 

The Celtics have lived and died by the three-point shot all year, and they need to find a way to get hot. Tatum is the one player that has shown some life at moments during the Eastern Conference Finals. Additionally, look for Boston to play with greater intensity on defense, as they’ve given Miami too many open looks from three. The Heat have shot 50%+ throughout the series because of wide-open looks and defensive breakdowns. Hopefully, Mazzulla has watched some game film for Boston bettors. 

Miami Heat Preview

Miami shouldn’t change one aspect of their game plan heading into Game 4. On offense, they’ve been flawless and the aggressor throughout the entire series. Jimmy Butler has led the scoring charge, but other players have stepped up consistently. Game 3 was all about Miami’s role players, resulting in nearly a 57% shooting percentage from the field. On defense, the Celtics were held to a 26.2% night shooting the three-point line. Boston has won with three-point shots all season, and Miami has ended their efficiency from deep. Erik Spoelstra has made multiple adjustments as well on the fly that the Celtics cannot handle. Miami has done everything right in this series, and we should see it continue. 

Celtics vs Heat Pick

Boston has forgotten how to play basketball, which makes it very hard to bet on them in this spot. The Nuggets swept the Lakers on Monday, and we believe this series could have a similar trajectory. Boston is outmatched in every facet of the game, and the Heat are consistently making shots. 

• PICK: Heat -1.5 (-110)

How to Watch Celtics vs Heat

• Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
• Game Time & Date: MAY 23 @ 8:30 p.m ET
• Channel: TNT
• Streaming: TNT App