Celtics vs Heat Game 1 Player Props: Herro, Tatum, and Williams Shine in Game 1

After the Boston Celtics earned an incredible series win over the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games, the team now face the Miami Heat. This has all the makings of an excellent Eastern Conference Finals, and we have you covered with some traditional Game 1 analysis.

We are also looking into some of our favorite props in each of the remaining series in the NBA Playoffs, and that starts with this series opener in South Beach. There’s nothing more fun than betting on props, and it can also be extremely profitable. With that said, keep reading for some of our favorite plays for Celtics vs. Heat on May 17. 

Celtics vs Heat Game 1 prop picks

• Herro Over 14.5 pts (-110)
• Tatum Over 6.5 rebs (+110)
• Williams Over 0.5 asts (-149)

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis. Each odds widget below represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated US sportsbooks.

Celtics vs Heat Game 1 props

Hometown Herro

Kyle Lowry will once again be out for the Heat, which means the team will need a guard to rise to the occasion in this opening game against Boston. The Celtics had the best defensive rating in the league during the regular season, and the group is third amongst all teams in the postseason in that regard. So, this isn’t an easy matchup for anybody on the offensive end, but the Heat have options. 

The most likely player to step things up for Miami is Tyler Herro, who averaged 20.7 points per game and was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year during the regular season.

The smooth scorer is due for a big performance, as he is averaging just 10.3 points per game over his last three contests. Miami knows that he is capable of a heck of a lot more than that, and the 22-year-old should be comfortable with this being a home game. 

It’s also worth noting that Marcus Smart, who should be Herro’s primary defender in this series, is questionable with a foot injury. Smart will either be out for Game 1 or will have his movement somewhat compromised. That means Herro should be in attack mode, and he also happens to be built for the big stage. 

PICK: Tyler Herro Over 14.5 points (-110)

Tatum on the glass

This season, Tatum averaged 8.0 rebounds per game — a career-high for the 19-year- oops I mean 24-year-old. That number is down to 5.6 rebounds per game since the start of the playoffs, but we’re expecting it to go up as the postseason goes on. Tatum has averaged at least 7.0 rebounds per game in each of the last three seasons, and the playoffs usually mean an even stronger willingness to hit the glass. 

This series against the Heat is going to be an absolute battle, and there should be quite a few grind-it-out contests along the way. Tatum has never shied away from mixing it up and making hustle plays, and Boston will be counting on him to use his size to help the team win the war on the glass. 

Tatum also averaged 8.3 rebounds per game in three meetings with the Heat during the regular season, and a lot of that has to do with Miami playing rather small outside of Bam Adebayo. The team goes to a lot of looks with Jimmy Butler and P.J. Tucker as its two forwards, and Tatum has a height and length advantage over both of them. 

With that said, it’s hard to see him not grabbing at least seven boards tonight, as his energy level will be high as he tries to help the Celtics steal Game 1. 

PICK: Jayson Tatum Over 6.5 rebounds (+110)

Grant the dimer?

It’s pretty shocking to see that Grant Williams’ assist total prop is down at 0.5. We haven’t seen the forward flash his true playmaking chops since entering the NBA, but he has good court vision for a player his size. In college, the Tennessee Volunteers used Williams as a hub for their offense, and he made the right play more often than not. 

The 23-year-old obviously doesn’t have the same role in Boston, where he is primarily a three-and-D threat on the wing. However, after scoring 27 points in a Game 7 win over the Bucks, Williams is likely going to see at least 30 minutes per game in this series with Miami. The forward also has full trust from his teammates to make shots, so he should get plenty of touches.

With Williams needing only one assist to hit his Over on the assist prop, it’s just hard to see him not doing it here. All it would take is Miami closing out too hard on one of his threes, and he will absolutely have the Heat defense scrambling after the way he shot last game. Once the defense is out of position, Williams should be able to use his high basketball IQ to make a good read and find somebody for an assist. 

All in all, it’s just worth taking a shot on a smart basketball player to make a good play for his teammates at least once in a game — especially with how easy it should be with the way defenses need to respect his jumper. 

PICK: Grant Williams Over 0.5 assists (-149)

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