Bet on Celtics vs. Heat Game 2 With Caesar’s Sportsbook Code VIMAXSPORTCZR for $1,100 Bet Insurance

Rolando Rosa Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

The Eastern Conference Finals will pick back up on Thursday night for Game 2 when the visiting Boston Celtics clash with the Miami Heat. Coverage on ESPN will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET from FTX Arena. 

Updated on 04/25/2024

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After a stagnant first half, the Heat blitzed the Celtics in the third quarter en route to a 118-107 victory in Game 1 of the series. The Heat outscored the Celtics by 25 points (39-14) in what ended up being the decisive frame. The Celtics, who outscored the Heat in the other three quarters, only shot 2 for 15 in the third quarter. The stifling Heat defense collected a jarring 12 blocks and 10 steals, while forcing 16 turnovers. 

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Heat superstar Jimmy Butler again put on a masterful postseason display, as he racked up 41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks. Butler is the first player in NBA history with a combination of those stats in a playoff game since the NBA began recording those categories, according to the AP. 

Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro added 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Heat. 

Superstar Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in points (29), assists (6), and steals (4), while also adding eight rebounds. However, Tatum only scored eight points after halftime. All-Star Jaylen Brown produced a double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds) and converted half of his eight 3-pointers. 

The Celtics were without Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart (midfoot sprain) and five-time NBA All-Star Al Horford (health and safety protocols) for Game 1. Smart has been upgraded to probable and Horford remains doubtful for Game 2. The 28-year-old Smart is the first guard to capture the award since Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton in 1995-96.

Check out Thursday's predictions and best bets for Game 2 of Celtics v. Heat:

The Heat will once again be without six-time All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry (hamstring). Lowry has only played in five games this postseason after sustaining the injury in the first round vs. the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat are a perfect 7-0 with stopgap starting point guard Gabe Vincent (8.3 points, 3.4 assists). 

The Heat are favored by 3.5 points vs. the Celtics in Game 2. After the combined 225 points in Game 1, the over/under is set for 207.5 points in Game 2. With Smart likely returning for the Celtics and the swarming Heat defense healthy aside from Lowry, this should result in the UNDER, despite the total going OVER in the eight of the last 11 contests between the rivals. 

The Celtics are 12-4 vs. the spread in their last 16 games and 9-1 vs. the spread on the road in their last 10 games. 

Meanwhile, the Heat are 14-5 vs. the spread in their last 19 games overall and  4-2 vs. the spread in their last six games vs. the Celtics. The Heat are currently riding a perfect 10-0 SU streak at home. 

This is a rematch of the thrilling 2020 Eastern Conference Finals from the Orlando bubble, which the Heat won in six games.

The Celtics will bounce back with a valiant effort to cover the spread, but the Heat will have the SU edge to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Written by Rolando Rosa, our US sports betting industry expert.

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa is a South Florida native and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Rolando is a sports editor/writer and has worked on iCasino content since 2022 across multiple websites. More from Rolando Rosa