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NBA conference finals: Matchups and storylines to watch in Heat-Celtics and Warriors-Mavs

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NBA conference finals: Matchups and storylines to watch in Heat-Celtics and Warriors-Mavs


After which there have been 4 groups left standing within the 2022 NBA playoffs.

After the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns — final yr’s NBA finalists — have been knocked out in Recreation 7s on the identical day, the 2021-22 season is one step nearer to crowning a brand new champion.

The Boston Celtics overcame an otherworldly collection efficiency by Giannis Antetokounmpo to succeed in the Japanese Convention finals. Assembly them are the top-seeded Miami Warmth, who toppled the Philadelphia 76ers in six video games.

The Dallas Mavericks used one of many largest playoff blowouts in historical past to stun the NBA-best Phoenix Suns in Recreation 7, organising a showdown with the Golden State Warriors within the Western Convention finals.

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Jimmy Butler vs. Jayson Tatum. Stephen Curry vs. Luka Doncic. Which superstars will personal the convention finals? What recreation plans will every protection create to cease them?

This is an early take a look at the NBA’s ultimate 4.

Observe: Sequence odds supplied by ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index (BPI) and Caesars Sportsbook.


Sequence odds at stats

  • BPI: Miami (51%)

  • Caesars: Miami +145 | Boston -165

  • Off. rankings: MIA (113.0, twelfth) | BOS (113.6, ninth)

  • Def. rankings: MIA (108.4, fourth) | BOS (106.2, first)

Since 2005, no groups have been within the East finals greater than the Warmth and Celtics.

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Tuesday evening, the shores of Biscayne Bay will as soon as once more host the matchup that has come to outline this technology of Japanese Convention basketball, because the Warmth will make their eighth look in 18 seasons, whereas the Celtics will make their seventh up to now 15.

For top-seeded Miami, it is going to be an opportunity to make the NBA Finals for a sixth time up to now 12 years and for the primary time since beating Boston in 2020 contained in the NBA’s Orlando, Florida, bubble.

Boston will likely be hoping to snap a streak of 4 straight losses within the convention finals, together with two by the hands of the Warmth (2011-12 and 2019-20).

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1:40

Grant Williams drains seven 3-pointers because the Celtics advance previous the Milwaukee Bucks to the Japanese Convention finals.

The query looming over the Warmth coming into this collection would be the unclear standing of level guard Kyle Lowry, who has missed six of Miami’s previous eight playoff video games on account of a hamstring harm he suffered in Recreation 3 of the primary spherical.

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Miami acquired Lowry to assist juice its offense within the latter rounds of the playoffs after the Warmth have been steamrollered in final season’s first spherical by the champion Bucks.

And whereas Miami has navigated previous the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers with Lowry sidelined, Boston will present a far more durable check because the NBA’s finest defensive crew over the ultimate 35 video games of the common season.

The Celtics emerged from their seven-game slugfest with the Bucks comparatively wholesome — presuming Robert Williams III will likely be able to go — and can pivot from making an attempt to decelerate Giannis Antetokounmpo to recreation planning in opposition to Jimmy Butler.

After main the Warmth to the NBA Finals two years in the past, Butler has been each bit the famous person Miami wanted in these playoffs, averaging 28.7 factors, 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists whereas taking pictures 52.5% from the sector and making an attempt almost eight free throws per recreation.

Most surprisingly, Butler has knocked down 36.4% of his 3s on over 4 makes an attempt per recreation. Through the common season, he shot 23.3% on two makes an attempt from deep an evening. We noticed simply how necessary 3-point taking pictures was in Miami’s convention semifinal win over Philadelphia, when home-road swings from deep have been jarring on each side.

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Boston proved all through the collection with Milwaukee that it’s able to getting sizzling at any time, as proven in its Recreation 7 win Sunday. With the quantity of elite defensive expertise on each side — Boston and Miami completed the season first and fourth in defensive ranking, respectively — whoever can break by way of from behind the arc may have an enormous benefit.

— Tim Bontemps


Sequence odds at stats

  • BPI: Dallas (56%)

  • Caesars: Golden State -260 | Dallas +220

  • Off. rankings: GS (112.1, sixteenth) | DAL (112.5, 14th)

  • Def. rankings: GS (106.6, second) | DAL (109.1, seventh)

The Warriors knew early on Luka Doncic was going to be an issue. So the very fact it is occurring within the 2022 West finals does not come as a shock.

“He is unbelievable,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry stated of Doncic after a January 2019 win in Dallas.

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“You may inform he is simply skilled when it comes to taking part in high-level basketball. A man that is at all times at his personal tempo. I am certain he had heard all of the doubters and other people speaking about his recreation who actually did not know a lot about him, and he is made himself identified for certain. It is enjoyable to observe.”

For Curry and Golden State, it will not be as enjoyable to observe now with Doncic and the Mavericks standing in the way in which of one other NBA Finals look, the Warriors’ first since falling to the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

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2:35

Luka Doncic goes for 35 factors, main the Mavericks to an enormous Recreation 7 win to advance to the Western Convention finals.

Whereas a Doncic vs. Curry offensive back-and-forth would make this collection must-see TV, the far more intriguing showdown might be how the Warriors deal with their defensive recreation plan in opposition to the Mavs’ 23-year-old famous person.

Gary Payton II, the Warriors’ Swiss Military knife, who carved out a significant position all through the season because of his stellar protection and ending across the rim, is not anticipated to return on this collection as he recovers from a fractured elbow.

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In his place, count on veteran Andrew Wiggins to get loads of minutes making an attempt to make Luka’s life harder.

However as is the case with any nice participant, the Warriors will at all times have a number of units of eyes on Doncic wherever he goes. Draymond Inexperienced will certainly swap onto the guard at occasions, as will Klay Thompson, who has had loads of enormous postseason defensive assignments previous to ACL and Achilles accidents that derailed the previous two years of his profession.

Through the common season, Doncic averaged 31.5 factors in opposition to the Warriors, behind solely LeBron James amongst these with a minimum of two video games in opposition to them, in line with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.

Doncic racked up 126 factors in opposition to the Warriors in 4 video games, the fourth most by a participant in a single season in opposition to Golden State since Steve Kerr turned coach in 2014-15.

With a view to decelerate a participant of Doncic’s caliber, it would take the kind of crew defensive effort that Kerr has repeatedly mentioned by way of the years in opposition to gamers similar to James and, earlier than and after his three-year Warriors stint, Kevin Durant.

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That’s the firm Doncic now retains. The Warriors, the NBA’s second-best defensive crew throughout the common season, have to deal with him that manner.

— Nick Friedell



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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics prediction, odds, best bets for NBA today

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics prediction, odds, best bets for NBA today


The Minnesota Timberwolves will face off against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden today at 3:30 p.m. EST. Led by superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are strong favorites in this contest; our data model gives them a 73% chance of winning. However, we expect it to be closer than the oddsmakers believe, and have selected Timberwolves +8 (-108) as today’s best bet.

In preparation for this game between Eastern Conference contenders, the data analysts at Dimers have simulated the matchup 10,000 times, then compared the results to current NBA odds to inform the data-driven betting insights below.

This preview includes Dimers’ best bets and predicted scoreline for the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics. To unlock Dimers’ full suite of data-driven betting insights, which includes daily props, trends, and parlays, sign up for Dimers Pro with promo code SYRACUSE10, which will save you 10% off your first subscription payment.

Timberwolves vs. Celtics betting preview

Led by star players such as Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid, the Timberwolves are aiming to beat a Celtics side that boasts Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White.

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Explore the interactive widget below to discover the latest spread, total, and moneyline betting odds and probabilities for the Timberwolves-Celtics matchup at TD Garden.

Check out all the important details on tonight’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country, including Bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.

Game details

The key information you need before the Timberwolves vs. Celtics NBA game.

Odds

Odds for the key markets in the Timberwolves-Celtics NBA game.

  • Spread: Timberwolves +8 (-108), Celtics -8 (-108)
  • Moneyline: Timberwolves +270, Celtics -330
  • Total: Over/Under 222.5 (-108/-110)

The odds and lines presented in this article are the best available from selected sports betting site at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Expert prediction: Timberwolves vs. Celtics

Utilizing trusted data analysis and machine learning, the experts at Dimers have performed 10,000 simulations of Sunday’s Timberwolves vs. Celtics matchup.

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According to Dimers’ famous predictive analytics model, the Celtics are more likely to defeat the Timberwolves at TD Garden. This prediction is based on the model giving the Celtics a 73% chance of winning the game.

Furthermore, Dimers predicts that the Timberwolves (+8) have a 53% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 222.5 points has a 51% chance of going over.

As always, these predictions and probabilities are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to potential changes.

Timberwolves vs. Celtics best bet

Our top pick for the Timberwolves vs. Celtics game on Sunday is to bet on the Timberwolves +8 (-108).

This expert betting advice is formulated through detailed modeling and valuable wagering intelligence, designed to bring you the best possible plays.

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Score prediction for Timberwolves vs. Celtics

Dimers’ predicted final score for the Minnesota vs. Boston game on Sunday has the Celtics winning 114-107.

This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome.

NBA player props: Sunday

NBA player prop bets offer an enjoyable way to place wagers on the Minnesota vs. Boston matchup without necessarily betting on the outcome of the game.

Dimers, armed with the most reliable information available, projects key individual stats for each team, such as points, rebounds, and assists.

Anthony Edwards is expected to lead the way for the Timberwolves with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum is projected to have 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

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Timberwolves vs. Celtics prop picks

To get a better idea of how each player might impact the game, here is a breakdown of the projected box scores for both teams:

Minnesota Timberwolves prediction

  • Anthony Edwards: 25 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 3 3PT
  • Julius Randle: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 3PT
  • Naz Reid: 14 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 3PT
  • Rudy Gobert: 13 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 0 3PT
  • Jaden McDaniels: 13 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 3PT

Boston Celtics prediction

  • Jayson Tatum: 24 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 3 3PT
  • Jaylen Brown: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 3PT
  • Derrick White: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 3PT
  • Al Horford: 12 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 3PT
  • Jrue Holiday: 11 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 3PT

NBA Sunday: Timberwolves vs. Celtics

Get ready for Sunday’s game between the Timberwolves and Celtics in the NBA at TD Garden, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EST. We emphasize that all of the NBA best bets and NBA predictions in this article are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Timberwolves vs. Celtics matchup, and they are accurate at the time of publishing to help you make more informed choices when placing bets at online sportsbooks.

Please note that when engaging in online betting, it is important to exercise responsible gambling practices and seek reputable sources for accurate and up-to-date information.



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Pelicans' Brandon Boston honors a late friend in his pregame ritual. 'You don't ever recover.'

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Pelicans' Brandon Boston honors a late friend in his pregame ritual. 'You don't ever recover.'


Three years ago, Boston made a small change. He started tucking a five dollar bill into his shoe before taking the court. Five was significant to him because it was the jersey number his close friend and former college teammate, Terrence Clarke, wore.



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Boston College Football Coach, Players Talk Impact of 1984 Team on 40th Anniversary of Hail Flutie

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Boston College Football Coach, Players Talk Impact of 1984 Team on 40th Anniversary of Hail Flutie


Saturday was an important day for the Boston College football program. 

Not only did the Eagles secure bowl eligibility with a 41-21 win over the UNC Tar Heels, but it also marked the 40th anniversary of the “Hail Flutie,” a Hail Mary touchdown pass that former quarterback Doug Flutie threw as time expired to give Boston College a 47-45 win over the reigning national champions the Miami Hurricanes. 

Members of the 1984 team were in attendance at Alumni Stadium and were honored as a way to mark the milestone. 

After the game, Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien as well as quarterback Grayson James and offensive lineman Drew Kendall spoke about the impact of that team and how them being at the game helped them come out with the victory. 

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“It’s sweet,” said James. “Just being able to know what he’s done, done for this program, just being able to see guys like that come back and support, it’s awesome. It makes us want to put on a show for them and put on a show for the whole BC community, so it definitely got us going knowing that team was there today.” 

Kendall emphasized that the season and that team made impacts on the program that are still felt today. 

“Obviously they kind of put Boston College on the map,” said Kendall. “They were, I believe, a top five team in the country, No. 2- I’m not 100-percent, but they really put Boston College on the map and what they did has kind of allowed Boston College as a program to thrive. Of course Doug Flutie is the only Heisman at Boston College so hopefully we can get another one day but their toughness and their determination has really rubbed off through the program throughout the years.” 

O’Brien shared that he showed film from the Hail Flutie game the day before the Eagles matchup against the Tar Heels as a part of preparation.

“I told them in this room on Friday, I showed them the last drive of the Miami game,” said O’Brien. “That that was a team, quite obviously, that played 60 minutes. They understood what playing 60 minutes was all about and on this screen right behind me, I showed that drive. And then, when you have the ‘84 team here, they were 10-2, ranked fifth in the country, Heisman Trophy winner in the house, you got to play well. It’s kind of in the same vein a little bit as the Red Bandanna Game, like you got to play well in these games. There’s a lot of tradition here at Boston College and for those guys to be here meant a lot to our program and it was important for us to go out there and win.” 

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