Celtics vs. Heat Game 7 odds, expert picks: Boston favored to complete historical comeback

Even Shakespeare would be stuttering to put words to what he saw in Game 6 of this series and stammering at the possibility that Boston could be the first team in NBA history to come back from a 0-3 deficit.

Both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals had teams up 3-0 this year. Denver was one of the best teams all season while Los Angeles had to navigate the Play-In Tournament. Miami was also a play-in team while Boston was one of the best teams this season, being second in both offensive and defensive rating during the regular season. The Celtics were the most balanced team in the NBA, so if one team was going to make NBA history, it was going to be them.

Only three teams have been down 0-3 while losing the first two at home — the 2010 Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, the 2020 Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Heat and 2005 Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Only Orlando was able to force a Game 6.

There have been 147 Game 7s in NBA history. The home team is 111-36.

During the NBA Playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NBA coverage is linked below the picks.

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No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 8 Heat

8:30 p.m. ET on TNT

What are the odds for the Celtics vs. Heat?

Series tied 3-3

For the first five games of this series, the team that made more 3-pointers, racked up more steals and took care of the ball won. The only “discrepancy” was in Game 2, when Miami only made nine three-pointers compared to 10 for Boston.

In Game 6, though, Miami made 14 3-pointers to seven for Boston, had five steals compared to four and only had five turnovers to 12. Shooting 35.5 percent from the field probably didn’t help matters.

During the regular season, Boston had five winning streaks of at least four games, with two consisting of nine games and one with five. Miami had two losing streaks of four games.

Mr. Momentum is clearly on the side of Boston, but Mr. Momentum is fickle and can hop to the other bench at a moment’s notice. That said, it will be a tall order trying to pry him from the Boston side because the Celtics will get an energy boost from the no-doubt raucous crowd, they are feeling good about themselves and they are the better team.

Anything can happen in one game, though.

Expert picks for Celtics vs. Heat

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Celtics’ buzzer-beater was thing of beauty. Game 7 will be too, with stars and starry-eyed

(Photo of Jayson Tatum: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)