Sunday at 3:30 ET the Boston Celtics travel to Florida to take on the Miami Heat in the first game of the Eastern Conference semi-finals – broadcast live on ABC.
Dwyane Wade played poorly against the Celtics all season, actually having more turnovers (21) than field goals (16). The status of Celtics injured center Shaquille O’Neal is uncertain; he has yet to make an appearance in the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Coach Doc Rivers said on Friday he is “confident’’ that O’Neal would play at some point against the Heat while president Danny Ainge, when asked if the center would face Miami, said, “Yeah, I think he will.’’
AP’s lead NBA writer Brian Mahoney told Pregame.com recently, Amar’e Stoudemire was severely limited at the end of the series vs. the Celtics – playing at an estimated 50% effectiveness – making uncertain how impressive the Celtics performance in New York truly was.
Miami is a 5-point home favorite in Game One, and the Heat are a -185 favorite to win the series, with Boston taking back +160, meaning Las Vegas gives Miami a 63% chance to advance. (Series odds prices can greatly vary - shop at trusted sportsbooks before you play).
Watch professional bettor Vegas Runner and yours truly discuss the key handicapping factors in the Celtics vs. Heat series. (You can see more videos at www.Pregame.tv)
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