Miami Heat Favored To Close Out Boston Celtics In Game 5 Wednesday Night

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh cemented the Heat as favorites to win the NBA title in their first season together and have been the subject of hundreds of early NBA prop odds. Miami can prove correct a little more of that hype with a win tonight.

The Heat took a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven set with a 98-90 overtime win in Game 4 on Monday night at TD Garden, and the Big Three were the difference. LeBron James went for 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade posted 28 points and nine boards for Miami, which covered as 1-point road chalk.

Chris Bosh was also huge in the win on Monday, especially because he was able to fight Kevin Garnett to a draw in their matchup in the post. Bosh finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Garnett put up 17 points and 10 boards.

Bosh was key in Miami’s dominance in the paint on Monday. The Heat outscored the Celtics 48-32 in the lane, while they won the battle on the boards 45-28. If Boston can’t turn around those margins on Wednesday, it’s curtains for the defending East champions.

Miami is now 3-1 ATS in the series, and its strong play has it as the clear fave to go all the way in June. Several Vegas and international shops have the Heat at +150 to win the NBA championship, while the Celts are listed as +2500 longshots with their backs against the wall in Game 5.

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The teams have split eight meetings this season both SU and against the number, but that’s after Boston won the first three matchups SU and at the window. Miami is 4-1 SU and ATS in the last five games between the clubs dating back to the regular season.

The Heat won both meetings in Miami earlier in the series, including a 102-91 victory as 5-point favorites in Game 2. James had 35 points and seven rebounds in the payday, while Rajon Rondo paced Boston with 20 points and 12 assists.

Bettors should not be surprised by Miami’s likely ascension to the East final. With their win in Game 4, the Heat are an impressive 22-5 SU (16-11 ATS) in their last 27 games since a five-game losing skid in early March.

The hot streak started with a win over the two-time defending champion Lakers on March 9. Expect a total in the low-180s for Wednesday’s contest, and the ‘under’ is the sharp bet every time the Celtics take the floor. Boston is 8-19-1 O/U in its last 28 games.

Also on Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series. The set is tied at two games apiece and the Thunder hope lightning doesn’t strike twice in these playoffs with another Memphis upset.

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