Betting Guide for Game 7 of Celtics vs. Heat in the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Jimmy Butler’s lights-out performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals kept Miami’s season alive and Golden State still without a dancing partner for the NBA Finals. 

Butler singlehandedly ruined the Celtics’ celebration plans by scoring a playoff career-high 47 points on 16-for-29 shooting while also ripping down 9 rebounds, dishing out 8 assists and recording 4 steals in the Heat’s 111-103 victory at TD Garden. 

Now Butler & Co. are back home with a chance to eliminate Boston, which has lost five straight games to clinch a trip to the NBA Finals.  

Dimers.com contributor Tony Bellissimo breaks down the matchup.

This preview of Game 7 of the Celtics-Heat series is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Compare all the sportsbooks' NBA odds to make sure you get the most out of your bets.

Game 7: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

Eastern Conference Finals

Sunday, May 29 2022, 8:30PM ET

Why the favorite Celtics will cover the spread

The Celtics (-2.5) couldn’t get the job done as a 6.5-point home favorite in Game 6, but nonetheless enter the decisive seventh game as slim road chalk and looking to stop Miami from its second trip to the Finals in three seasons. 

Jayson Tatum (30 points), the emerging Derrick White (22) and Jaylen Brown (20) were solid Friday night but need to be even better. An Al Horford sighting wouldn’t hurt, either.  

DimersBOT Prediction: Celtics to cover (50% probability)

Scott Foster being assigned for game 4 is blatant rigging from the NBA. The Miami Heat are 1-8 with Scott Foster while the Celtics are 11-0… pic.twitter.com/m6gbF5cCDf

— CockSources ➐ (@cocksources) May 23, 2022

Why the underdog Heat will cover the spread

After totaling only 27 points in Games 3 thru 5, Butler did everything but fly the team charter back to Miami on Friday night and will surely be the focus of Boston’s defensive scheme.  

 The Heat (+2.5) will ride Butler as much as possible but also need support from the likes of Kyle Lowry (18 points) and P.J. Tucker (11) to win consecutive games for the first time all series. 

Why Heat vs. Celtics will go Over the 197 total points line

What a difference 48 hours makes. The total set for Game 7 is six points fewer than Game 6.  

Sure, deciding games of most playoff series’ are more tightly contested than others, but both of these teams showed in Game 6 there’s going to be no holding back. 

DimersBOT Prediction: Over 197 points (55% probability)

Why Heat vs. Celtics will stay Under the 197 total points line

The margin for error on both sides is small and that could lead Boston head coach Ime Udoka and Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra to keep things closer to the vest. Add in the pressure on players and coaches on both sides, and this game could look more like Game 5 (173 points) than Game 6.  

The X-Factor: Max Strus, Miami Guard 

After some strong performances in series wins over the Hawks and Sixers, Strus has gone into the tank. He’s been shooting beach balls for three games, going 5-for-28 from the field including 3-for-19 from behind the arc. With Strus on the floor, Miami was minus-49 combined in Games 4 and 5 before he produced a +9 in Friday’s must-win.  

🏀 Projected Celtics vs. Heat Game 7 box score
✍️ Betting Preview: Celtics vs. Heat Game 7