Celtics vs Heat Game 3 Player Props: Smart Steps Up Offensively To Help C's

Boston will look to do what L.A. couldn't by avoiding the dreaded 0-3 hole against Miami, and we have our three favorite player props for tonight's matchups. Read ahead to find out what three players will make an impact tonight — for better or worse.

Shawn Wronka - Contributor at Covers.com
Shawn Wronka • Betting Analyst
May 21, 2023 • 17:52 ET • 4 min read
Marcus Smart Boston Celtics NBA
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The Miami Heat have continued to defy NBA odds and carry a 2-0 advantage as the series shifts to their home court for the next two games. The Boston Celtics will need to find a way to properly contain Jimmy Butler and his historic playoff run in order to stay alive in the Eastern Conference Finals, beginning Sunday night.

Continue reading for my free NBA player prop picks for the Celtics vs Heat Game 3 matchup on Sunday, May 21. Be sure to also check out Jason Logan's Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 picks to find out his favorite bet.

Celtics vs Heat Game 3 player prop picks

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Celtics vs Heat Game 3 props

If the Boston Celtics are going to win Game 3, Marcus Smart will undoubtedly have to get more involved on the offensive end of the court. In Game 2, Smart managed just seven points and attempted just five field goals all game. 

And Smart has weirdly been a more prolific scorer on the road in the playoffs in recent seasons, averaging 16.8 points on 13.3 FGA while shooting 36.7% from three. Those marks are significantly better than his home splits, which include 13.7 points, 11.2 FGA, and 33.1% from deep.

In fact, Smart has scored 15+ points in his last seven road playoff games and he has scored less than 13 points three times in his last 20 road playoff games.

PICK: Smart Over 12.5 points (-120)

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Speaking of odd home-away playoff trends, Gabe Vincent also possesses some strange splits. His 10.5 line tonight may seem enticing considering he had a quiet nine-point performance in Game 2 and the fact role players typically play much better at home.

He has also had some notable performances in these playoffs so far so 10.5 may seem low, but a deeper dive into his results reveal a contrarian way to approach that line.

On the road in these playoffs, Vincent has averaged 15.5 points and has scored Under 15 points just twice in eight games. At home, he has scored 10+ points just once in the Miami Heat's five home games.

PICK: Vincent Under 10.5 points (-110)

Jayson Tatum has had some memorable playoff performances over the years, and he undoubtedly is someone who feels comfortable taking matters into his own hands when the going gets tough.

But with that mentality, Tatum has also quietly racked up plenty of turnovers along the way. Against the Heat alone in these last two playoffs, he has averaged 4.7 turnovers per game and has had four or more turnovers in six of those nine games.

Even when extending his track record against the Heat out to regular season games, he has committed four or more turnovers in four of those last eight games. With the line at 3.5 for tonight with very favorable juice, the Over on Tatum's turnovers is more than worth the bet.

PICK: Tatum Over 3.5 turnovers (+120)

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Shawn Wronka - Covers
Betting Analyst

Shawn Wronka is an analytics-based sports bettor who was drawn to analytics at an early age via the stats on the back of sports cards. He began sports betting in 2016, and took an immediate interest in UFC before finding his way towards other major sports.

After years of casual betting, he took an interest in the numbers-based approach and specialized in learning and applying those techniques to niche markets such as player props, the NFL and NBA drafts, and F1. Shawn finds writing a good way to balance the time he spends on numbers, giving him an outlet to paint quantitative edges into qualitative narratives.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his work has been seen in dozens of publications including the National Post, Financial Post, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun, and The Province.

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