Celtics vs Heat Game 3 Player Props: Smart Steps Up Offensively To Help C's

James Bisson - Head of Content, Betting
James Bisson • Head of Content, Betting 16+ years betting experience
Updated: May 21, 2023 , 05:52 PM ET • 4 min read

Boston will look to do what L.A. couldn't by avoiding the dreaded 0-3 hole against Miami, and we have our three favorite player props for tonight's matchups. Read ahead to find out what three players will make an impact tonight — for better or worse.

Marcus Smart Boston Celtics NBA
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat have continued to defy NBA odds and carry a 2-0 advantage as the series shifts to their home court for the next two games. The Boston Celtics will need to find a way to properly contain Jimmy Butler and his historic playoff run in order to stay alive in the Eastern Conference Finals, beginning Sunday night.

Continue reading for my free NBA player prop picks for the Celtics vs Heat Game 3 matchup on Sunday, May 21. Be sure to also check out Jason Logan's Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 picks to find out his favorite bet.

Celtics vs Heat Game 3 player prop picks

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

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Celtics vs Heat Game 3 props

If the Boston Celtics are going to win Game 3, Marcus Smart will undoubtedly have to get more involved on the offensive end of the court. In Game 2, Smart managed just seven points and attempted just five field goals all game. 

And Smart has weirdly been a more prolific scorer on the road in the playoffs in recent seasons, averaging 16.8 points on 13.3 FGA while shooting 36.7% from three. Those marks are significantly better than his home splits, which include 13.7 points, 11.2 FGA, and 33.1% from deep.

In fact, Smart has scored 15+ points in his last seven road playoff games and he has scored less than 13 points three times in his last 20 road playoff games.

PICK: Smart Over 12.5 points (-120)

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Speaking of odd home-away playoff trends, Gabe Vincent also possesses some strange splits. His 10.5 line tonight may seem enticing considering he had a quiet nine-point performance in Game 2 and the fact role players typically play much better at home.

He has also had some notable performances in these playoffs so far so 10.5 may seem low, but a deeper dive into his results reveal a contrarian way to approach that line.

On the road in these playoffs, Vincent has averaged 15.5 points and has scored Under 15 points just twice in eight games. At home, he has scored 10+ points just once in the Miami Heat's five home games.

PICK: Vincent Under 10.5 points (-110)

Jayson Tatum has had some memorable playoff performances over the years, and he undoubtedly is someone who feels comfortable taking matters into his own hands when the going gets tough.

But with that mentality, Tatum has also quietly racked up plenty of turnovers along the way. Against the Heat alone in these last two playoffs, he has averaged 4.7 turnovers per game and has had four or more turnovers in six of those nine games.

Even when extending his track record against the Heat out to regular season games, he has committed four or more turnovers in four of those last eight games. With the line at 3.5 for tonight with very favorable juice, the Over on Tatum's turnovers is more than worth the bet.

PICK: Tatum Over 3.5 turnovers (+120)

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James Bisson
Head of Content, Betting

James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief at Covers. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, including a nine-year stint with The Canadian Press and more than five years at theScore. He has covered dozens of marquee events including the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2006 Stanley Cup final and Wrestlemania 23, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, Yahoo! Sports, the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail.

His book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008 and earned him appearances on CBC Radio and Canada AM. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews, more than 200 industry news articles, and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles.

A graduate of the broadcast journalism program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), James has been an avid bettor since the early 2000s, and cites bet365 as his favorite sports betting site due to its superior functionality and quick payouts. His biggest professional highlight: Covering Canada's first Olympic gold medal on home soil – and interviewing Bret Hart. Twice.

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