They Won’t Go Away

It wouldn’t be appropriate to start off without acknowledging yet another Jimmy Butler masterclass. He’s honestly insane. The postseason superstar led another impressive Miami W on the road — this time over the defending Eastern Conference champions in the Boston Celtics. Kevin Harlan simply knows how to channel these otherworldly performances into words, take a listen 👂

Part of what makes Butler so effective is that he is never willing to settle. The swingman picks on mismatches relentlessly, using his physicality to get to his pull-ups or flat-out bulldozes his way to the rim 😤

Of course Butler benefits from a Heat squad that has really saved their best for the postseason. Max Strus (38.6%), Gabe Vincent (35.4%), Caleb Martin (39.2%), Kyle Lowry (38.3%), Duncan Robinson (41.3%) and Kevin Love (35.5%) are all shooting higher percentages from three than they did in the regular season 🏹 

• What does this lead to? Spacing! This is the key for Butler to work one-on-one against opposing squads

• Caleb Martin, another undrafted Heat player, has been fantastic, hitting wide open threes that killed the Celtics in Game 1

Funniest part of the night - anyone who watched the game on YouTube TV that had to watch those Little Mermaid commercials 😭

Since sweeping the Nets in the first round of the playoffs last season, Boston has had five extremely tight series, all of which they were favorited in entering Game 1 👀

• 2022 EC Second Round — Milwaukee Bucks (won in seven games)

• 2022 ECF — Miami Heat (won in seven games)

• 2022 Finals — Golden State Warriors (lost in six games)

• 2023 EC First Round — Atlanta Hawks (won in six games)

• 2023 EC Second Round — Philadelphia 76ers (won in seven games)

Despite some unexpected losses on the way, the Celtics have responded well to adversity and haven’t dropped consecutive games since last year’s Finals vs. Golden State. That Boston squad, however, did not have Malcolm Brogdon on it 🔥

Heat vs. Celtics Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Celtics -9

• Moneyline: Celtics -400, Heat +315

• O/U: 215.5

Trivia Question: The Lakers and Spurs are tied at 10 Conference Finals appearances over the last 25 years. Where do the Heat and Celtics stack up?

For My Parlay Gurus

While I don’t think Miami will steal back-to-back games in Boston, I trust them enough to cover spread. It might be a long shot, but I think Jaylen Brown will have a bounce back game as far as his deep ball goes. He’s hit at least three 3s eight times this postseason, and will certainly have the volume to hit the over. Take a look 👇

• Heat +9 @ Celtics: -110

• Jaylen Brown Over 2.5 Threes: +104

$100 on this bet would win you $303 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: The Heat and Celtics are tied for the second most Conference Finals appearances over the last 25 years, both with eight

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Many will enter, only some will win. Giveaway ends 12 hours after the completion of the final game references within the giveaway. The winner will be notified via the email address used to enter. Restrictions apply. See the General Conditions and Releases sections of Overtime's Terms of Use at https://overtime.tv/terms for additional giveaway terms

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