Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Tuesday, 6/5/12, 8:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Miami -8
Current Betting Line: Miami -8
Opening Total: 180
Current Total: 179
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Boston heads back to South Beach with the Eastern Conference Finals tied at two games apiece, winning both of its home games, including a 93-91 overtime victory as two-point underdogs on Sunday night. The Celtics have now turned their focus in trying to steal home-court advantage in winning game five at the AmericanAirlines Arena. “We’ve got to win a game in Miami, of course,” commented Celtics forward Paul Pierce about winning this high-profile series in the 2012 NBA playoffs. Boston is 2-5 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points, while the “under” is 6-1 in those contests.
The Celtics haven’t been able to practice in between games in the postseason, as they’ve played in 17 contests and practice just once. Boston is an aging team, but definitely has the talent to win this game, with all five projected starters averaging double figures in the postseason. Point guard Rajon Rondo has been the floor leader offensively, averaging 17.4 points and 11.9 rebounds, while also making some noise in halftime interviews about the Heat constantly complaining to the referees.
Miami is hoping to welcome back one of its stars in this contest, as power forward Chris Bosh has been upgraded to day-to-day with an abdominal injury that he suffered more than three weeks. “They all say they’re ready,” stated Heat coach Erik Spoelstra about players wanting to come back from injury. The Heat are still capable of taking the series with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade leading the way, but it’s going to be tough if Bosh is unable to go. Miami is 10-6 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points, while the “over” is 13-3 in those games.
The Heat are being led by James on the offensive end in averaging 29.9 points per game during the postseason, scoring at least 20 points in 13-straight games. Miami has won seven of its eight home playoff games, including the first two in this series, averaging 104 points in those contests. Keep a watchful eye on Bosh’s status, with the team winning 72 percent of its games with him in the lineup since the start of the 2011-12 season, while going just 12-11 without him.
Bettors will likely back the Celtics due to their 7-1 ATS mark in the last eight meetings, while the Heat are 11-12 ATS revenging a loss versus an opponent.
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