2023 NBA playoffs - Odds, picks, betting tips for Celtics-Heat Game 1 - ESPN

ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data, featuring ESPN's proprietary Basketball Power Index (BPI) to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for Wednesday are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Can the Miami Heat accomplish what the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to in Game 1? Which is to pull off the upset versus the higher-seeded foe as heavy dogs on the road? The Boston Celtics sit as sizable favorites in a matchup of modern rivals, as this is the third time in the past four years these teams meet for a trip to the NBA Finals. Let's dive into some specific player analysis ahead of tonight's anticipated tip.

As painful as it was to watch these Celtics down my 76ers, it was equally difficult to watch Malcolm Brogdon, a gifted catch-and-shoot producer, loft open shots. Because of the natural attention Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will demand from Miami's defenders, Brogdon surfaces as my top player value for DFS tournaments, even those that include Thursday's Western contest.

The 2023 Women's Fantasy Basketball season has officially arrived! Create or join a league today to get started.

Sign up for free!

He enters with a reasonable projection for 29 DraftKings points and could be a savvy play for scoring and shooting props given the shot quality he's likely to consume. There's also more room in this matchup for Robert Williams to shine, as he's no longer countered by Joel Embiid's size or foul-drawing. Remember, Williams shifting to the starting lineup in Game 6 of that series proved pivotal.

For these underdog Heat, Bam Adebayo and Gabe Vincent are solid options to complement