Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game 5 odds and best bet

Game 4 was over before it really started thanks to Miami having a terrible first quarter in Boston on Monday night. Now the series returns to Miami tied 2-2.

Miami was so off their game that it has to be an outlier right? Perhaps, but there is no doubt that despite the even series record, Boston has been the better team in the series.

The sportsbooks seem to be believing in them, too, as Miami is actually a small home underdog in Game 5. Some of their struggles to score in the last game were exaggerated by Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro being out of the game. He is questionable again for Wednesday night.  

Boston played really well in Game 4 even though lead guard Marcus Smart did not play. He is questionable for Game 5, too. 

Miami played its worst game of the playoffs, showing just how much they can labor offensively with the talent they have (or don't). Is a change of venue enough to get them back on track?

Game Info

Boston Celtics (2-2) vs. Miami Heat (2-2)
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
8:30 p.m. ET
FTX Arena, Miami, Fla.
ESPN

Betting Odds

Spread: Celtics -1.5 (-110), Heat +1.5 (-110)
Total: 203.5
Moneyline: Celtics -120, Heat +100

Best Bet

Boston -1.5

As the series has progressed, I think what we are seeing is that Boston has the better "A" game. They are capable of playing suffocating defense, and in players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylon Brown, they have a couple of stars capable of really impacting the game. 

Miami only has one of those, and Jimmy Butler was well off his game on Monday. Boston flashed some depth the other night as guard Derrick White (starting in place of Smart) had his best game of the playoffs. Whether Smart is back or not, if he is capable of being a reliable player, that makes Boston even tougher because of his versatility.

I know it might be cliché, but Miami just looks a little tired at this point of the season. They have vets like Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker, who are great hustle players, but they still need a guy like Herro to help them pick up the pace and put the ball in the basket. Big man Bam Adebayo was great for one game, but that player disappeared in the last game and with Butler struggling too the Heat just had nowhere to turn. 

Miami played its worst quarter in playoff history the other night, and that is not going to happen again at home. What is going to happen is Boston is going to lean on its stars to stake themselves to a lead and then use their depth to keep the Heat at bay. 

Unless Butler can muster another elite game, it is hard to see Miami retaking control of the series. (And with how off he was in Game 4 you have to wonder if he is truly right physically. He plays a rough-and-tumble game, too)

The simple fact is that Boston can put more talent on the court, and when you match that with a strong defensive effort, it is a combination that is really tough to beat. 

They are a nice bet, even as small road favorites, on Wednesday night.