NBA Eastern Conference Finals Best Bets Tonight – Celtics vs. Heat Game 5 – May 25, 2022

Celtics vs Heat Game 5 Preview

Wow, what to say about the Heat’s game 4 performance? This was about the best example of a “Burn the Tape” game I’ve ever seen for the Heat. Miami’s performance has been scrutinized by everyone under the sun. But how does this impact the betting lines for Game 5.

Well, for the first time in this series, the Heat are home underdogs. With the Celtics as 1.5 point favorites, it’s clear oddsmakers predict the Celtics will keep rolling following a convincing game 4 win. 

To say this series has been a roller coaster would be a massive understatement. It seems like every game we convince ourselves the winner of that game will win the series.

Then, they get blown out the next game and the cycle repeats. It’s odd to see a series so evenly matched, but yet all games are blowouts. Will the cycle repeat and the Heat will take care of business on their home court?

Or will the Celtics break the cycle and take command of this series? Let’s dive into some of the best bets of the game to help you navigate the craziness of the series. 

Celtics vs Heat Game 5 Betting Picks

Heat 1st Half Team Total Over 49.5 | +100 at BetMGM

Tied up at 2-2, the series mercifully heads back to Miami. The Heat must use this opportunity in front of their home crowd to regroup. Coach Spo knows that his team needs to start hot or they begin to look disinterested.

I’m looking for the Heat to start hot, drawing up easy buckets to get their uncharacteristically quiet starters involved early. If game 4 scares you away from this bet, I don’t blame you.

But, I’m not convinced the 33 point half was entirely the Celtics doing. The Heat offense looked completely pedestrian, and I’m looking for them to bounce back on their home court tonight. 

Heat +3.5 | -139 at BetRivers

We’re going way off the mainline for this bet, but for a good reason. While you may not get the highest return compared to a mainline bet, you’re still getting great value and getting an additional 1.5-2 points. This bet beats the OddsJam Perfect Line and some other books are offering this at -150. Now that we got the value reasoning out of the way, why is this my pick?

After watching (and re-watching) these games in this series, it’s incredibly hard to say with certainty which team is the better team. You could be a prisoner of the moment and pick the Celtics based on their game 4 performance.

But I truly don’t see that as being the norm in this match up. Something has to give, right? With the Celtics riding the high of game 4 and the Heat being re-energized as home, I see this specific game being primed for a close battle. I love getting an additional 2 points for the Heat here, while also retaining a ton of value. 

Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 Rebounds | -115 at FanDuel

It’s no secret Jaylen Brown does a ton out on the court for the Celtics. When you watch their games, you inevitably see him flying around the court, wreaking havoc. However, his statistics never get the shine that other players of his caliber get.

I find his over props to be undervalued often. JB has been an incredibly consistent perimeter rebounder in the playoffs. It certainly helps that he’s matched up against Miami’s most disinterested rebounders. Brown has hit this over in 6 of his last 7 games, so I love the value we’re getting here.