May 25, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) and forward Kevin Love (42) during the fourth quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

• Boston is a 3-point favorite in the Celtics vs Heat odds ahead of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday
• The Celtics are trying to become the first team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-0
• Don’t miss the Celtics vs Heat Game 6 odds predictions, player props, and same-game parlay picks below

Jaylen Brown warned the Heat not to let the Celtics take Game 4. Maybe Miami should have listened. Not only did Boston win that contest, but they also held serve at home in Game 5.

In doing so, they’ve cut the Heat’s seemingly insurmountable lead to 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Final, as the series shifts back to Miami for Game 6.

The last thing the Heat want to do is allow the Celtics to force a Game 7 on their home court, but online sportsbooks are expecting that to happen. They’ve opened up Boston as the road chalk on Saturday night in the NBA betting lines, as the Celtics look to become only the fourth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0.

Celtics vs Heat Game 6 Odds

Boston is currently a 3-point favorite, in a contest with a total of 211. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET at the Kaseya Center, in Miami, FL, with TNT providing the broadcast coverage.

Odds as of May 26 at Caesars. Claim a Caesars Sportsbook promo code to bet on Celtics vs Heat Game 6. 

Boston vs Miami Betting Splits and Trends

As of Friday evening, bettors are banking on the Celtics extending the series. Boston is currently drawing 58% of the spread wagers, and 63% of the ATS handle. The Celtics are 13-7 in their last 20 road playoff games dating back to last season, and have won four consecutive elimination games as visitors.

Total wise, over 211 is the more popular side. The over is currently drawing 74% of the total wagers, along with 60% of the handle. Each of the past two contests in this series have failed to eclipse the total, after Games 1, 2 and 3 all went over.

Celtics vs Heat Series Odds

As for the series odds market, Miami is down to a -135 favorite to advance in the NBA playoff bracket, after being as long as -285 following Game 4.

Despite trailing the East Final 3-2, Boston actually has shorter NBA Championship odds than the Heat. The Celtics are currently +295 to win it all, with Miami checking in with a +550 price tag.

BOS vs MIA Injury Report

Gabe Vincent returning to the lineup would go along way to improving the Heat’s title prospects. Miami’s staring point guard sat out Game 5 with an ankle injury, and the Heat offense suffered. They turned the ball over 16 times on Thursday, and were down by 15 by the end of the first quarter.

Celtics cool off the Heat once more in 110-97 Game 5 win:

“The game was over before it started. But it was highly misleading with Gabe Vincent out.” — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/uLv4Ea5Mha

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 26, 2023

Miami is 18-5 in playoff games Vincent starts dating back to last year, and the point guard is currently listed as questionable ahead of Game 6.

As for the Celtics, backup point guard Malcolm Brogdon will be a game-time decision. Brogdon is dealing with a partial elbow tear and saw just eight minutes of action on Thursday.

Celtics vs Heat Betting Analysis

At this point, you’d think Miami would be panicking, but that wasn’t the vibe following Game 5. Jimmy Butler offered a simple explanation that the team just needs to play better out of the gate, and he guaranteed a victory in Game 6.

Butler had his worst game of the playoffs on Thursday, scoring just 14 points. The Heat star attempted a playoff low 10 shots, and played only 34 minutes.

“We are going to win the next game.”

-Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/fzYgrbB6Av

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) May 26, 2023

Miami has now been outscored by 30 points over the last two elimination games, committing 33 turnovers, and struggling to stop the Celtics from long range. Boston is shooting 40% from three over the last two contests, after hitting only 29% of their triples through the series first three games.

The Celtics are 38-2 when they splash at least 40% of their three-pointers this season, but just 29-31 when they fall below that number. They’re two wins away from completing the greatest comeback in NBA history, but Miami is not going to roll over, especially at home.

Celtics vs Heat Predictions

The Heat are 6-1 in their own building this postseason, outscoring their opponents by an average of 10 points per 100 possessions.

Their 105.5 home defensive rating is better than any playoff team this year except the Lakers, and they’ve covered in six of eight contests at the Kaseya Center since the regular season finished.

Celtics vs Heat Same-Game Parlay

We’ll target Miami catching three points in our Celtics vs Heat same-game parlay, and pair it with 10+ rebounds for Jayson Tatum and over 11.5 points for Derrick White.

Boston is electing to limit Robert Williams’ minutes this series which has allowed Tatum to gobble up boards. He’s averaging 11 rebounds in his last four contests, reaching double-digit rebounds three times.

As for White, Brogdon’s injury has opened up more minutes for him. He responded by scoring 24 points in Game 5 on a postseason high 37 minutes. He’s been lights out from three especially this series, burying 58% of his long distance looks, while averaging 3.6 threes per game.

Picks: Miami +3 (-110), Same-Game Parlay (+425), Derrick White 3+ Threes (-105)

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