Best NBA Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Heat: Boston Needs to Dig Deep

By James Mason
- May 21, 2023

The NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals move on to Game 3 Sunday, May 21, with the Celtics and Heat battling it out on Miami’s home court. Planning to bet on the game? We’ve got all the best NBA player prop bets for the NBA playoffs on May 21.

The player props offered by the major online sportsbooks are a fantastic way to add entertainment to the game, with live in-game betting and chances to test your knowledge of the players involved. Particularly in the playoffs, we love player props. These NBA stars are often at their best, and the inter-player drama is high.

We’ve got a quick preview of the Celtics/Heat matchup and the best player props available across top sportsbooks.

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Best NBA Player Props for Celtics vs. Heat

The Heat stunned the basketball world by winning both games in Boston this week. Now the teams travel to Miami, where the Heat have yet to lose a game in these playoffs after barely making it into the playoffs in the first place.

Jimmy Butler is a god, yes, but the Heat’s whole team has shown up in a big way, including Kyle Lowry, Bam Adebayo, and Max Strus.

The Celtics, on the other hand, can look like one of the best teams ever when they’re at their best, but they have fumbled a lot through these playoffs. Jayson Tatum, like Butler, is a god on the court when he’s good, but he’s been inconsistent, as has Jaylen Brown. To stay in it, the Celtics will have to dig deep and win one in Miami.

Oddsmakers seem to think Boston can do it, and we wouldn’t put anything past that team when they’re fighting for survival. But the Heat have been consistently underestimated in these playoffs, while the Celtics have gotten a little too much credit from oddsmakers.

Once you’ve settled your spread or moneyline betting, here are some of the most exciting NBA player props to put some money on.

Player Points Props

FanDuel Sportsbook has props for the total points for each player. Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler appropriately have the highest over/under. In the postseason so far, Butler is averaging 31.1 points per game, Tatum is averaging 28.7, Jaylen Brown 23.9, and Bam Adebayo 18.5.

Here are the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jayson Tatum: Over 30.5 (-118) | Under 30.5 (-108)
Jaylen Brown: Over 23.5 (-113) | Under 23.5 (-113)
Jimmy Butler: Over 28.5 (-120) | Under 28.5 (-106)
Bam Adebayo: Over 18.5 (-111) | Under 18.5 (-115)
Marcus Smart: Over 12.5 (-128) | Under 12.5 (+100)
Malcolm Brogdon: Over 14.5 (-113) | Under 14.5 (-113)

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Player Rebound Props

Bam Adebayo has been leading rebounds for the Heat, while Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown have traded the rebound lead on the Celtics. Adebayo has been averaging 9.7 rebounds per game in the postseason, Tatum 10.5, Horford 7.3, and Brown 5.5. Jimmy Butler has averaged 6.6.

Here are the odds on player rebounds from BetMGM Sportsbook.

Jimmy Butler: Over 6.5 (-135) Under 6.5 (+100)
Jayson Tatum: Over 9.5 (-130) Under 9.5 (-105)
Jaylen Brown: Over 5.5 (-145) Under 5.5 (+110)
Bam Adebayo: Over 9.5 (-105) Under 9.5 (-125)
Al Horford: Over 6.5 (+120) Under 6.5 (-160)

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Player Assists Props

For the Heat in the postseason, Butler (5.6), Lowry (4.5), and Adebayo (4.0) have been leading in assists. The Celtics have Smart (5.3), Tatum (5.1), and Brown (3.5) alternating in that leading spot.

Here are the odds for player assists on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Jimmy Butler: Over 5.5 (-130) Under 5.5 (+100)
Kyle Lowry: Over 3.5 (-135) Under 3.5 (+105)
Bam Adebayo: Over 3.5 (-140) Under 3.5 (+110)
Marcus Smart: Over 5.5 (-115) Under 5.5 (-115)
Jayson Tatum: Over 5.5 (+125) Under 5.5 (-155)
Jaylen Brown: Over 3.5 (-120) Under 3.5 (-110)

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Player Threes Props

Of course, for better or worse, three-pointers have become a highlight of playoff basketball. Here are some of the odds on player threes from Caesars Sportsbook.