{"id":17945,"date":"2024-05-01T05:57:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T05:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bb-auae-prd-ext-blog-01.azurewebsites.net\/?p=17945"},"modified":"2024-05-01T05:57:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T05:57:47","slug":"nba-may-2-betting-preview-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prdextblog01.bluebet.com.au\/nba\/nba-may-2-betting-preview-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA May 2 Betting Preview & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"
Thursday’s NBA playoffs action features the #1 seed Celtics looking to seal the series against the Heat at the TD Garden. Meanwhile, the Clippers and Mavs will battle for a crucial 3-2 series lead.<\/p>\n
The Heat have been rock solid on defence this season, but their offense has been struggling all year and things haven’t improved much in the postseason. They’ve been holding it down on the defensive end, ranking third in the NBA for scoring defence, giving up just 108.4 points per game. They’re also doing alright in field goal percentage defence, sitting at tenth and fifth in three-point percentage defence. However, in the playoffs, they’re allowing a tad more points per game, with opponents shooting a bit better from both the field and behind the arc. On the offensive side, it’s been a bit rough, especially without Jimmy Butler. They were near the bottom in scoring offense during the regular season and it hasn’t gotten much better in the playoffs. Bam Adebayo’s been leading the charge in scoring and rebounding, but they’re definitely feeling the absence of Butler and his firepower.<\/p>\n
The Celtics are just one win away from the next round and will be eager to avenge their shock Game 2 loss at their fortress. In the playoffs against the Heat, they’ve got four players scoring over double digits, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge in points and rebounds. Plus, he’s been dishing out some sweet assists, leading the series in that department. But their defence ain’t no joke either. They were fifth in scoring defence during the regular season, holding teams to just 109.2 points per game. That trend has continued into the playoffs as they’ve allowed under 90 pts in their last 2 wins in Miami.<\/p>\n
While the Celtics should close out the series, I like the chances of a low scoring Game 5. The Under is now 7-1 in the last 8 playoff games involving the Celts and the last 2 games of the series finished well below 200 pts.<\/p>\n