Totally agree. Its almost as if Vegas is trying to entice C's bettors. From an observer, these are 2 different teams trajectory wise. It doesn't at all seem like a dog vs dog fight. The Heat are playing on a different level and the C's "seem" like they're trying to hold on. Of course theres competitiveness at the opening tip. Tatum finally showed up and played well. Williams is being effective protecting the paint and getting rebounds. But then it seems like the Heat are never phased. Kind of like the old GS Warriors when they're down 15+ In this case the Heat have a clear coaching advantage and Butler is playing like hes got a shit load to prove to nay sayers.
If were to sum it up the C's don't seem mentally there. As if they checked out after Game 2. Miami definitely smells blood.
(no offense Willie) Taking MIA big tonight.
Books just don't like to change lines too drastically intra-series, they don't want to overreact to small sample results.
The line opened Celtics -520, this generally means theyre gonna be 8-9 at home and 3-4 on the road.
Line went from -4.5 to +1.5 from G3 to G4, that is a pretty big move but they can't really be like fuck it and just totally abandon all prior consensus.
How are they trying to "entice" Celtics bettors by making them only +1.5 after they just lost 3 games by 37 points and are down 3-0? Most people think they're cooked.
2010 NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Celtics vs. Magic | Basketball-Reference.com
Summary and statistics for the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Celtics vs. Magic
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This series is pretty analogous to Celts/Heat, I immediately thought of it after last game. Orlando was in the finals the year before, young star player, 1 of the best records in the league vs old vet Celts team that slogged through regular season but beat LeBron (Giannis) already. Celts open like +250 for series, win the first 3 games. First 2 were close, then the 3rd 1 an ass whoopin at home.
Orlando wins a close OT game 4 then Celts just mail in game 5 before closing it out back at home game 6. Don't see Miami mailing in any games in this series from a urgency perspective. Despite everything happening, I'd still say Celts are the better team and just in in some quicksand. In that series, Orlando wasn't the better team. And the spread for that game 6 blowout was probably like -2.5 or 3 if I had to guess.
I would love to see it
They were -4.5 because they had dropped the first two at home and the books like to add an extra 1.5-2 points or so to a favorite in a series in seemingly must win game.
If the series was 1-1 my guess is that C's would have been -2.5 to 3 that game.
edit: same with game 2. Higher line because they dropped game 1. Hell Bucks were -13 in their game 5 against Heat after being around -8, -9 first 2 games at home.
I think the game 2 spread was so high b/c Miami won game 1 and the trend on how game 1 teams who lose at home dont lose in game 2
Game 3, the line opened at celts-3. I was surprised game went to 4.5
I havent even looked at tonite's line. The public is thinking that the C's are dead in the water. However, the public is also thinking that the NBA doesnt want to take a 9 day layoff and some "questionable" fouls or non fouls may or may not be called
If they beat someone other than the Knicks rd 2, they probably would've got a lot more respect going into the series. Also, Butler looked like shit in game 6 vs the Knicks, could barely move. For some reason Thibs didn't seem to care and was trapping him 35 feet from the basket in that 4th quarter though.
Heat get no respect because that roster looks so thin. Their best player during the regular season is a fringe all-star. They have a decent big man in Bam but not exactly a world beater and what seems like a bunch of lesser role players. I mean they don't even have Herro.
It has worked for whatever reason.....
A lot more respect?
They beat the team with the BEST OVERALL RECORD in round 1.
They beat a decent knicks team in round 2
I felt the HEAT were getting plenty of respect going into the ECF. I thought Boston was the better team (still think they are better) but wouldnt be surprised if Miami was going to advance (probably a homer pick)
Did you even read the conversation? I was commenting on why they were such massive dogs in this round i.e not getting any respect. Beating the Knicks in 6 isn't changing a perception of a team at this level of playoffs, especially when the series ends with your best player (and only guy that can create offense consistently) barely being able to move.
And obviously with Giannis basically missing 3 games and going 2-1 in them, it wasn't going to be the same level of respect (i.e increased win probability in future rounds) as if they beat them with him in all 4 wins.
I've said it already but Herro absence makes them a much more versatile team defensively
They have a lot of guys who can shoot and defend, and they're hitting them for the most part right now.
Two best players elevating their game + role players hitting 3's + playing with a "nothing to lose mentality" is dangerous combo
Bam is very good. Just saying he isn't a perennial all-star type player. I saw Jimmy made 2nd team all-nba which makes 0 sense if they aren't suppose to include the play-offs. That is just weird.
It has worked. I am just saying their roster is why they get no respect because it looks paper thin.
Does it though? I haven't been watching closely ever since the Bucks season ended. But don't they have to play Duncan more now who is even a worse defender than Herro?
I couldn't believe my eyes watching Kevin Love knocking down 3s. A guy your cavs paid not to play for them and a play-off team at that---simply incredible.
But congrats to Miami players and bettors. They have run EASILY through the east.
