Boston vs Miami | Game 1 Prediction & Pick

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Boston vs. Miami Game 1 NBA Pick

The Boston Celtics ripped through their opening series with the New York Knicks but they will now have to face the beast from the East in South Beach, as Lebron James and Co. look to continue their dominance after toppling the Philadelphia 76ers in five.

Date/Time: Sunday, May 1, 3:35 PM ET
Venue: American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL.
Broadcast: ABC

Money Line: Boston +180, Miami -220
Spread: Miami -5
Over/Under: 181 ½

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This series has all the makings of an epic battle as the seasoned Celtics, who got off lucky in their first round series with a beat-up New York squad, will now be tested in what will likely be an ugly physical series with the Heat.

The Knicks would have made it a longer series had they not been derailed with injuries to key players; Chauncey Billups and Amare Stoudemire. With their two star players lost, New York was not able to take it to a thin Celtics frontline as hard as they may have wanted to, and the result was an early exit.

However, you can’t take anything away from Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, whose perimeter play was a key ingredient in lifting the Celts past their East coast rival.

Now Boston will look to prove that their 3-1 regular season domination over the Heat was not just a stroke of luck. The ageing legs of Boston will need to be prepared for a marathon against a Miami.

As for the Heat, they outlasted a young Sixers’ team, dispatching them with relative ease in their first round match up. Nevertheless, the result has left critics and fans alike to question the Heat’s consistency and execution on offense. But let’s face it, the Sixers where no pushovers. In fact, Philadelphia’s combined scoring margin over Miami’s starters to open games was 92-50 for the series, after a 14-4 start Game 5.

Something the Heat will have to improve upon in their tilt with the Celts.

If Lebron wants to prove he is the best player in basketball, he will have to beat the Boston, which means he along with and Dwyane Wade will need to go straight for the jugular by continuously attacking the rim, often and early.

Miami will also need to make sure they win the battle for loose balls, offensive rebounds and steals, while getting out on the fast break against a slower Celtics transition game.

The Heat’s perimeter defense will be challenged by Allen, Pierce and Rondo, but the defensive skills of James and Wade should be able to force the trio into a poor shooting series.

Meanwhile, Boston’s success lies in Kevin Garnett against Chris Bosh. If Garnett is able to manufacturer points on a consistent basis, it will give the Celtics a huge advantage, especially if he, Jermaine O’Neal and Glen Davis control the paint defensively and stay out of foul trouble.

The odds makers have the Miami Heat as a -5 point favorite with an over/under of 181.5.

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Matt’s Free Prediction: Miami- I think their best is yet to come. Heat will win in seven games starting with a big home win in Game 1. Get ready for a blockbuster series.

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