May 21 NBA Player Props – Over/Unders and Picks for Celtics vs Heat Game 3

May 19, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) passes over the defense of Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the second half of Game 2 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals at the FTX arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

• The NBA playoffs continue with Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday, May 21
• Best-of-seven series deadlocked at 1-1 as action changes venue at Boston’s TD Garden
• Read the latest NBA player props and best bets below

Two games in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat provided two completely different results.

In Game 1, the Heat’s Jimmy Butler turned it on. Butler had a game-high 41 points as the Heat beat the Celtics 118-107. No other Heat player has reached 20 points. However, four of Miami’s five starters scored in double figures.

Game 2 was all Boston. The Celtics were 127-102 winners. Boston led by no less than 32 points in the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum scored 27 points to lead the Celtics. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each scored 24 points.

What will Game 3 bring to basketball fans? Well, bettors are picking the hometown Celtics as the 6.5-point favorites to take the series lead. Boston is 4-2 at home in the playoffs, but only 2-2 SU in the last four games.

May 21 NBA Player Accessories

Odds as of May 21 on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Which direction should you take in terms of the best bets in the NBA player props action? Is it wise to stick with warm hands, or should the savvy bettor seek out some home cooking to get the juices flowing for the Heat and Celtics?

Prop #1: Book a Board Meeting with Tatum

It’s going to be tempting to play the prop over 27.5 points on Boston forward Jayson Tatum and we’re not necessarily saying that’s a bad move. In the first two games of this road series, Tatum scored 29 and 27 points.

That equates to 28 points per game and logically, it would be safe to expect increased production from the Celtics’ key offensive players when they return to the field.

Jayson Tatum ranks No. 1 in the NBA in deflections (50) and stray balls recovered (17) this postseason. Just proving his case as an all-around superstar. pic.twitter.com/k3Buh9zUL9

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 20, 2022

There is another area of ​​the game that Tatum especially excels in at home and that will make the game safer, if less rewarding. He’s pegged at 5.5 rebounds as his Game 3 total. There’s a -150 chance Tatum will exceed that total.

He should be able to do it without sweating too much. In four of his last five home games, Tatum has caught at least six boards. At home this season, he is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game.

• Pick: Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum over 5.5 rebounds (-150). 1 unit

Prop #2: Butler Won’t

Butler was an absolute dominating monster in Game 1 and there is no doubt that he is capable of such exceptional plays. Plus, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest he could surpass his 26.5-point total in Game 3. Butler has scored the most on that play in each of his last three games and four of his last five games. He’s also done it in four of his last five road games.

“I promise you I’ll find out.”

–Jimmy Butler ✊ pic.twitter.com/0XI7cl2lWJ

– Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) May 20, 2022

However, when Boston is added as another team into this equation, the math doesn’t work quite so smoothly. In seven games with the Heat in Boston, Butler topped 26.5 points once. He’s only done it twice in his last 14 games at TD Garden.

In six career playoff games at Boston, Butler has scored over 26.5 points once. He averaged 19.5 points per game in those six postseason games at TD Garden.

• Pick: Miami Heat Jimmy Butler under 26.5 points (-110), 1 unit

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