The Celtics look to continue to the improbable as they attempt to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals. The series shifts to Boston for Game 5 and there a couple of player props I love for tonight's contest!
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Here’s how I would approach tonight’s slate in NBA Playoffs.
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Jimmy Butler Rebounds + Assists Over 13.5
If the Heat are going to close it out, they will need an all-around effort from their superstar, Jimmy Butler. Thus far in this series, Butler is averaging 7.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. However, Butler has gone over this projection of 13.5 rebounds + assists in three of the four games in this series.
Butler has done a great job facilitating and finding the open shooters, which is why Miami is up 3-1. Additionally, Butler has a great chance of getting over this projection because of his usage and the number of minutes he's playing in this series. In fact, Butler is averaging 38.5 minutes per game in this series and has a 29.5% usage rate. I expect Butler to put the team on his back in Game 5 as the Heat look to close out the Boston Celtics. Take the Over of 13.5 Rebounds + Assists.
Marcus Smart Over 6 Assists
Marcus Smart is averaging seven assists per game against the Heat this season, including the regular season. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Smart has gone over this projection in two of the four games. Smart also went over this projection in two of the three games during the regular season.
In Game 4, Smart finished with exactly six assists. Additionally, Smart may see an increase in usage because there may be an injury to the Celtics’ backup point guard, Malcolm Brogdon. In fact, Brogdon has only logged 35 total minutes in the past two games. If there is an injury concern with Brogdon, I expect Smart to play plenty of minutes.
In Game 4, the Celtics seemed to have found their shooting spark from beyond the arc, knocking down 18 of 45 attempts from 3. If the Celtics are going to extend this series, I expect Smart to find the open shooters and rack up the assists in Game 5.
