Here we go with four NBA Props from Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston was able to jump out to a strong start in Game 1, taking an eight-point lead into halftime. However, the Heat stormed back in the third quarter for a decisive victory. Miami will look to win another game on their home court Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into our top NBA props, featuring two Heat player props and two Celtics player props.
Odds via DraftKings and updated as of 12 p.m. ET on May 19.
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Miami Heat Player Props
Miami Heat: SG Victor Oladipo
The prop: 1.5 assists (vs. Boston)
The odds: Over -120/Under -110
Oladipo was once an All-Star caliber shooting guard, but injuries have limited him to a minor role in the Heat’s rotation. He’s played 19.6 minutes or fewer in each of the past three games, and he’s averaged just 24.5 minutes per game during the playoffs.
Still, Oladipo has proven that he can produce in limited playing time. He’s coming off a poor performance in his last outing, finishing with just five points and one assist, but he dropped at least two dimes in each of his four previous games. Overall, he’s hit the over on 1.5 assists in seven of nine playoff contests.
Oladipo should also continue to benefit from the absence of Kyle Lowry. He’s increased his assist rate by +4.4 percent with Lowry off the court this season, which is the top mark on the squad.
Editor’s Note: New to NBA props? Check out our complete NBA prop betting guide to get up to speed!
Miami Heat: C Dewayne Dedmon
The prop: 3.5 rebounds (vs. Boston)
The odds: Over +135/Under -180
Dedmon is the Heat’s backup center, which doesn’t result in much playing time. He’s averaged just 11.6 minutes over his past five games, including just 10.5 minutes in Game 1 vs. the Celtics. The Heat have an excellent starting center in Bam Adebayo, so Dedmon simply doesn’t need to do much on most nights.
However, Dedmon does typically hit the boards when called upon. He averaged 5.8 rebounds per game during the regular season, and he finished with four boards in his last contest. He’s averaged 3.8 rebounds per game over his past five outings, and he’s hit the over on 3.5 rebounds in three of them.
This prop seems like a pure coin flip, so I’m not sure why we’re getting +135 on the over. I’ll gladly roll the dice on the veteran big man at that number.
Boston Celtics Player Props
Boston Celtics: F Jayson Tatum
The prop: 28.5 points (at Miami)
The odds: Over -120/Under -105
Tatum has blossomed into a bonafide superstar. He legitimately outplayed Kevin Durant in the first round of the postseason, who many believed to be the best player in the league. He followed that up by going toe-to-toe with Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and the reigning NBA Finals MVP. I’ll be honest, I thought the Celtics were crazy by making him untouchable in deals for guys like Anthony Davis and Paul George, but it turns out, they were 100% right.
Tatum is coming off another strong performance in Game 1 vs. the Heat, finishing with 29 points on 10-21 shooting. He’s now scored at least 29 points in four of his past five games and in eight of 12 games this postseason.
Still, I can’t help but think his scoring prop is a bit too high on Thursday. The Heat have a tremendous defense, and they absolutely destroyed the Celtics in the second half of Game 1. The Heat also are listed as 3.5-point favorites in a game with a total of just 207 points. That gives the Celtics a meager implied team total of 101.75. Tatum averaged a paltry 17.7 points per game in three meetings vs. the Heat during the regular season.
Finally, Marcus Smart is expected to rejoin the Celtics’ rotation after missing Game 1. Tatum’s usage rate decreases by -1.2 percent when sharing the court with Smart, so he has a smidge less scoring upside with the Defensive Player of the Year back in the fold. Fading a guy like Tatum is scary, but I think it has merit on Thursday.
Boston Celtics: PF Grant Williams
The prop: 14.5 points + rebounds + assists (at Miami)
The odds: Over -120/Under -115
The other big piece of news for the Celtics is the continued absence of Al Horford. He entered health and safety protocols before Game 1, and he is doubtful for Game 2. The team does have Robert Williams back in the rotation, but Horford was instrumental in their second-round victory over the Bucks.
If he is unavailable, Grant Williams will be asked to pick up the slack. He’s not the highest-usage player, but he’s capable of contributing in every area of the box score. He struggled in Game 1 vs. the Heat, but he averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 boards, and 0.9 assists per game in the seven-game series vs. the Bucks. I like the idea of buying low on Williams in Game 2.
Most Popular NBA Props
These are the most bet NBA props of the night according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Jimmy Butler Over 26.5 points (-105)
- Tyler Herro Over 2.5 assists (-175)
- Marcus Smart Under 2.5 made 3-pointers (-180)
- Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler 25+ points each (+110)
- Jayson Tatum 35+ points (+300)
