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Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
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- Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
The No. 1-seeded Boston Celtics will face the No. 8-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs .
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for noon Sunday in Boston (ABC). The Celtics swept the regular-season series, 3-0.
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Boston (64-18) boasts the best record in the NBA. It'll look to avenge a 4-3 series loss to Miami in last season's Eastern Conference Finals.
Miami (46-36) earned a 112-91 home win over Chicago on Friday in the final round of the play-in tournament. The Heat will be without Jimmy Butler , who's expected to miss several weeks due to a right MCL injury.
Here's a look at how the first-round matchup is projected to play out:
Play-in tournament picks : Lakers at Pelicans | Warriors at Kings | Heat at 76ers | Hawks at Bulls | Kings at Pelicans | Bulls at Heat
First-round picks : Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks
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More: 2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch
The Oklahoman: Boston, 4-1
Justin Martinez writes: "Miami defeated Boston in last season's Eastern Conference Finals, and it looked sharp against Chicago on Friday. But Boston got better this past offseason with the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday . The Celtics rank first in the NBA in offensive efficiency and third in defensive efficiency. And with Butler not in the mix, it's hard to imagine the Heat pulling off another upset."
DraftKings : Boston (-3000) is the favorite to win the first-round playoff series vs Miami
Boston is -3000 favorite to beat Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
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Series winner:Boston -3000 | Miami +1300
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Win in 4:Boston +125 | Miami +25000
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Win in 5:Boston +180 | Miami +15000
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Win in 6:Boston +550 | Miami +4500
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Win in 7:Boston +850 | Miami +4000
BetMGM : Boston Celtics (-14.5) are the favorite to win Game 1 vs Miami Heat
Boston is a 14.5-point favorite to beat Miami in Game 1 on Sunday.
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Over/under:208.5
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Moneyline:Boston -1100 | Miami +700
ESPN : Boston Celtics have an 80.3% to beat Miami Heat in Game 1
ESPN gives Boston an 80.3% chance to beat Miami in Game 1 on Sunday.
More: OKC Thunder clinches top seed in West for NBA Playoffs with rout of Dallas Mavericks
ESPN : Boston Celtics have an 80.3% chance to beat Miami Heat in Game 1
ESPN gives Boston an 80.3% chance to beat Miami in Game 1 on Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat predictions, odds for NBA playoffs
