NBA Playoffs Parlay Odds & Picks for Wednesday, May 25 (2022)
Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals is now just a few hours away, as once again the injury reports are the focus of attention for fans and bettors alike. With the series deadlocked at 2-2, we head back to Miami for a pivotal Game 5 with a Friday elimination game awaiting the loser.
Let’s take a closer look at the side and total and see where the value remains ahead of tip-off.
Leg #1. Heat +2.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
With both Tyler Herro and Marcus Smart sidelined for Game 4, Herro proved to be the more costly absence as the Heat struggled from the jump offensively, scoring just 82 points in a 102-82 Boston rout. For Game 5 tonight in Miami, both have been upgraded to questionable, but we’ve seen the line move from -1 to -2.5 signaling potential doubt around Herro’s injury (hamstring).
It’s not just Herro the Heat are concerned about, as Kyle Lowry (hamstring) has played in just two games this entire postseason and is once again questionable for this game, as is Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, who are also both dealing with hamstring injuries. For the Celtics, Marcus Smart (ankle) is expected to suit up tonight, as the Defensive Player of the Year was missed far less than expected Monday in Boston.
For me, this pivotal Game 5 comes down to the teams’ stars Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler. Butler, who is dealing with a knee injury of his own despite being removed from the injury report for this one, needs to be the difference-maker. After scoring a series-high 41 in Game 1, he’s been largely quiet, which I expect to change tonight with the series back in Miami where he’s played much better.
If Herro can at least be on the floor in part, he should open up the scoring for Butler and I like for the Heat to take this one late.
Leg #2. Over 204 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
While this total has ticked a bit up from its opener of 203.5 with the news of Herro likely suiting up and Butler upgraded from probable, I don’t think the movement has been enough. Like we have seen throughout this series, it’s been a roller coaster ride for both teams, on both ends of the floor, and after a low-scoring affair on Monday, I expect some scoring tonight in Miami.
Already touching on Butler, I like for Tatum to have a second consecutive strong performance, scoring a game-high 31 points in Monday’s win.
Total Odds: +264 at DK Sportsbook
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