After falling into a 2-0 hole in Miami, the Boston Celtics responded at home on Saturday with a 97-81 win. The series continues in Boston tonight with Game 4 and the Heat up 2-1. The defending Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Dallas Mavericks over the weekend to end the series. The defending Easter Conference Champion Celtics are hoping to avoid a similar fate.
Kevin Garnett scored 28 points and 18 rebounds in Game 3, which was more than he had in the first two games combined. Paul Pierce added 27 points. Dwayne Wade got tangled up and came down on Rajon Rondo early in the second half. Rondo had a dislocated left elbow, which was popped back into place in the locker room and he was back at the start of the fourth quarter. He finished with six points and 11 assists, including a couple of one-armed field goals that propelled Boston to the victory. Rondo’s MRI and CAT scans came back negative so he is expected to play tonight.
After dominating the series in Miami, the Heat’s big three combined for a total of 44 points, the lowest of any game this season. LeBron James had his worst playoff game in more than three years, going 6-for-16 shooting with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Chris Bosh played through a pinched nerve in his neck for just six points and five rebounds in 30 minutes. Wade led the Heart with 23 points and seven assists. James said Boston is an aggressive team and the only way to combat that is to be more aggressive. He should take his own advice in Game 4 and drive to the basket more instead of settling for outside jumpers.
The Celtics are 14-5 SU and 12-7 ATS versus the Heat over the last three seasons. Eleven of 19 games between these two teams have gone over the total during the past three years.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Game 4 Odds (provided by Eurobet)
Heat: 5/6
Celtics: Even
Point Spread: Heat -1.5
Over/Under: 180.5
Eastern Conference Outright Odds (provided by Eurobet)
Miami Heat: 8/11
Chicago Bulls: 7/4
Boston Celtics: 7/1
Atlanta Hawks: 12/1