We’ve got a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs as the Boston Celtics take on the Miami Heat. The Celtics have the top seed in the East, while the Heat captured the No. 8 seed after winning the second play-in game against the Bulls. Miami is going to be without Jimmy Butler, who suffered a sprained MCL in the first play-in game against the 76ers. The Heat won last year’s 4-3 after blowing a 3-0 lead.
Here’s a look at some of the best series props for this matchup, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Celtics vs. Heat series props
Heat +3.5 games (-130)
This is basically saying the Heat won’t get swept in this series. They’re massive underdogs with Butler out but they did just smoke the Bulls without him. Miami has played enough games without Butler to get at least one contest off the Celtics, who might take things a bit easy in this series. Boston is +105 at -3.5, so if you believe the Celtics will complete the sweep there’s some value to be had there. I don’t think that happens, with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro being worth at least a game for Miami.
Under 5.5 games in series (-320)
Even though I believe the Heat can get one game, I don’t see them getting two. This series will wrap up before Game 6, so the under on the series length is worth backing. There’s not much value here, so bettors might want to look into combining this with a few other bets to bring the line down to a more favorable payout.
Celtics to win 4-1 (+180)
Boston to sweep the series comes in at +105, so if you bet on both outcomes you can make some sort of profit as long as the series doesn’t go to Game 6 or Miami ends up pulling off the all-time shocker. The Celtics should come out hard at home and get an early lead in this series. They won’t overlook the Heat, largely because this squad has eliminated them in a few postseasons recently. That’s why I think Boston makes this a quick series but I’ll give one game to Miami.