The Boston Celtics are on the verge of history. Of the 150 NBA teams that have found themselves 3-0 down in a series, only 3 have been able to force a Game 7. None of them managed to complete the comeback. Playing on their home floor tonight, the Celtics will have the chance to be the first team to achieve it. It will be no easy task, however. Jimmy Butler is one of the most competitive and relentless players in the NBA. Don’t expect him to let the Heat go down without a fight.
You can check out our'NBA picks on the side and total for today's game, but for now let's dive into my favorite NBA player prop bets for tonight.
Marcus Smart over 23.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)
Marcus Smart has really stepped up his scoring for the Celtics. He surpassed the 20-point mark in both Game 5 and Game 6. Doing the same again tonight would put him in a great position to hit the over on his points, rebounds and assists line. He has managed a combined 24 PRA in 4 of the 6 games in this series, so do not be surprised to see him do so once more. He has increased his field-goal attempts for 4 straight games and should remain a key part of the Celtics offense tonight. In 4 of the games in the series he has managed at least 7 rebounds and assists. That should act as a great insurance on this line. The Celtics do not have a dominant rebounder on the floor and are cleaning the board by committee. It allowed Smart to record 9 boards in Game 3 and it would not be a surprise to see him push those numbers again.
Caleb Martin over 22.5 points + rebounds (-104)
Caleb Martin got moved into the starting lineup in place of Kevin Love in Game 6 and boy did he deliver. He recorded a monster 21-point and 15-rebound performance. It helped him up his averages to 18.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in this series. His 41 minutes in his last outing was also a playoff high for Martin. Considering his effectiveness, expect him to see a similar amount of playing time here. He has been a terrific outlet for the Heat, making 46.2% of his 3-point attempts this series. Even if his last offensive outburst makes him the focus of more defensive attention, his rebounding ability should make this line comfortable for him to hit. If he pushes 40 minutes of time spent on the court, I can envision him getting at least 8. It is a great insurance on this line.