The Miami Heat stole Game 1 on the road, and now the Boston Celtics have their proverbial backs against the wall as they try and make this one a series with a Game 2 win. While the Celtics may get back in this series with a win, we’re expecting things to stay the same as it pertains to the individual performances from Game 1.
We’ve learned the Heat can rebound the ball, so we’re going to be backing their lead man in that department to have another big game and we’ll be fading Boston’s top scorer when it comes to his role on the glass. I also think Boston’s second fiddle will continue to be a playmaker as the team looks to level the series.
Let’s get into our best NBA player prop picks for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Celtics.
And for a full matchup breakdown and more best bets, check out our Heat vs. Celtics Game 2 picks!
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 player prop picks
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
Heat vs Celtics Game 2 props
Bam on the boards
At this point, it’s time to respect the Heat on the glass. Yes, they were one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA during the regular season, but they’ve now snatched 50% or more of available rebounds in four of their last five games.
Those games happened to come against the Knicks, the second-best rebounding team in the NBA this year, and the Celtics, who ranked ninth. The bottom line here is that this team is simply a different and better one than we grew accustomed to watching for months.
At any rate, I think there are two ways to back the Heat’s new-found love for rebounding. The first is here with Bam Adebayo, who has cleared this mark in four of his last five — and the one game he went Under 27.5 points and rebounds he finished with a combined 26. He’s already proven he can score inside against Boston and is a consistent threat on that end, so I feel good about this one.
PICK: Bam Adebayo Over 27.5 points + rebounds (-105)
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Brown delivers
Jaylen Brown, for whatever reason, has been a very willing passer when he’s faced off with the Heat. He’s had exactly five assists in three of his four games against the Heat this year in the regular and postseason, and considering he was just 1-of-6 from three in Game 1 he may be looking to pass a little bit more here.
Brown has now played 39 or more minutes in three of his last four and he’s cleared 3.5 assists in four of his last six. It’s clear Boston loves to have him hanging around the perimeter to move the ball, and I expect Joe Mazzulla to continue leaning on his many talents to get this Game 2 victory.
PICK: Jaylen Brown Over 3.5 assists (-128)
Rebound regression
Yes, the Celtics have been an excellent team on the glass all year and Jayson Tatum has been posting some other-worldly rebounding numbers in the playoffs with 10 or more in nine of his 14 games thus far since the regular season ended.
With that being said, he finished with seven boards in Game 1 as the Heat continued to show they can battle with the best of them down low. Tatum finished with 30 points, getting to the line 11 times and taking 17 shots. He’s simply not going to be hanging down low as long as he’s matched up with Jimmy Butler, which should cut into his already diminishing rebounding numbers against a good frontcourt.
PICK: Jayson Tatum Under 9.5 rebounds (-106)
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