Do the Celtics have anything left in the tank? That is the question as they prepare for a Game 4 Eastern Conference Finals showdown with the Heat. Boston will look to even the series at two game apiece tonight when it hosts Miami at the TD Garden; the game is scheduled for an 8:30pm ET start on ESPN. NBA Odds have the Heat listed as a -1.5 against the spread favorite and a -125 moneyline favorite to take a 3-1 series lead. This evening’s game total is set at 180 points.
Boston left it all on the floor on Wednesday night, but it still came up short, losing an overtime battle 111-115 to the Heat to fall to 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Many felt the disheartening and energy sucking loss would doom the Celtics to a possible sweep. That outcome was not to be, though.
Boston found a second wind on Friday night and extended the series to at least five games with a 101-91 win over the Heat. The offensive outburst was keyed by the Celtics new Big Three as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo all topped the 20 point mark. Garnett scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win while Rondo produced a 21 point, 10 assist double-double. Pierce finished the game with 23 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, shockingly, led the Heat attack as the pair combined for 52 of Miami’s 91 points. James, who tallied a game high 34 points, also produced eight rebounds and five assists.
Friday’s victory marked the Celtics sixth win in its last seven games opposite the Heat at the TD Garden. Boston outscored Miami by an average of 11.3 points per game in those six wins; the closest outcome came in a 85-82 win in February of 2011.
While Boston looks old and tired at times, its heart cannot be questioned. Here’s predicting the Celtics suck it up, once again, and even this series at 2-2.
NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Heat are 1-9 straight up in their last 10 games as a road dog with a total between 175 and 180 points.
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2012 NBA Playoff Odds Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Game 4: Provided by TopBet.com
Miami Heat -1.5 (-110), Over 180 (-110), -125 (Moneyline)
Boston Celtics +1.5 (-110), Under 180 (-110), +105 (Moneyline)
