May 16, 2023 - Matchplug Blog

miami heat vs boston celtics match prediction

NBA PREDICTIONS: Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Expert Picks

Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics sets the pace for the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, as they kick off their series on Wednesday.

For an analysis of the game and accurate NBA Predictions Tonight, MatchPlug a Winning Prediction site to follow for NBA games, has brought you the picks, odds, and predictions for Heat VS Celtics.

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers are also playing in the Western Conference Finals, you can check our preview on this below.

Predictions and Betting Preview for Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals

Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA.
When: Wednesday, May 17th, 2023
Time: 17:30 GMT
Teams to play: Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
NBA Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.322

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting On The Miami Heat

Regular Season Record: 44-38

1XBet Spread: +8.5
1XBet Moneyline: 4.5
1XBet Over/Under: Under 210.5
BetMGM Spread: +8.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 4.00
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 210.5

The Miami Heat are the underdogs in this series, as they have been in their last two series in this postseason, and they are tired of hearing about it. The team’s success is thanks to head coach Erik Spoelstra, who has done so much with very little.

Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo are still absent, but Jimmy Butler brought the Heat back to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Celtics a year ago. Butler averages 31.1 points on 52.7 per cent shooting from the field in the playoffs.

Gabe Vincent, Mas Strus, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, and Duncan Robinson banded together to help Miami defeat the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks in the first and second rounds, respectively. The Heat has seemingly taken to playing well at TD Garden, where they won 13 of their last 18 visits there.

Betting On Boston Celtics

Regular Season Record: 57-25

1XBet Spread: -8.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.322
1XBet Over/Under: Over 210.5
BetMGM Spread: -8.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.26
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 210.5

The Boston Celtics made a significant comeback in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, as they cleaned a 3-2 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers to move to the conference finals – again.

Last season they beat the Heat in seven matches in the same round and intend to do it again tomorrow night. Jayson Tatum must have the fire by the beginning of Game 1 from cooking the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7, where he posted 51 points.

That offensive barrage raised Tatum’s playoffs scoring average to 28.2 points per game on a 45.3 per cent shooting percentage. One may debate that Jaylen Brown has performed better in the playoffs than Tatum. Brown makes 24.6 points per game on 54.1 per cent shooting. The Celtics will pose a big challenge for Miami on both sides of the court. They are in second place in playoffs with a 118.1 offensive rating and second too in net rating (111.0).

MatchPlug Prediction

Experts predict that the Boston Celtics will deliver an all-around effort and destroy the Miami Heat in a double-digit win.

They already defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, the club of the 2023 NBA MVP, Joel Embiid and James Harden, there is no reason why they won’t beat Miami tomorrow.

Final Prediction: Boston Celtics Moneyline.

denver nuggets vs los angeles lakers match prediction

NBA PREDICTIONS: Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks

Los Angeles Lakers VS Denver Nuggets compare strength in the kickoff game for the Western Conference Final in the 2023 NBA Playoffs today.

The Lakers enter this series after eliminating the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors, both by 4-2. The Nuggets, on the other hand, found an easy task in dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 and the Phoenix Suns 4-2.

This game will definitely be one of the ages, as two strong players LeBron and Jokic clash. We wouldn’t want you to miss this game, so here are some NBA Betting predictions from MatchPlug a Hot Prediction site for NBA games.

Read: NBA PREDICTIONS: Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Expert Picks

Predictions and Betting Preview For Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs Game 1 Final

Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Date: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
Time: 17:30 GMT
Teams to play: Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Expert Picks: NUGGETS – OVER 222.5

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting On The Denver Nuggets

Series record: 0-0

Postseason Record: 8-3

Regular Season Record: 53-29

1XBet Spread: -5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.496
1XBet Over/Under: Over 222.5
BetMGM Spread: -6.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.40
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 222.5

Many Analysts predict that this will be the season the Denver Nuggets finally make it to the top of the league. But, they must defeat the Lakers first in the playoffs to achieve this.

While Los Angeles finished the year 7th in the conference, they were one of the best teams for the second half of the season. Their defense will be a problem for LeBron and the other Lakers.

Denver had no problem sending the Timberwolves packing in the first round, and handled the Suns in the semifinals; despite gaining the upper hand once, Denver still couldn’t contain Jokic and his teammates.

Matter of fact, the Joker averages almost a triple-double in the playoffs with 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists, recreating his regular season performance, where he, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. headed one of the NBA’s best offenses.

In terms of defense, the Nuggets have played well too. In just two of their 11 games played in the postseason, they allowed over 114 points, but of which were defeats at the Phoenix Suns’ home court.

Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers

Series record: 0-0

Postseason Record: 8-4

Regular Season Record: 43-39

1XBet Spread: +5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.34
1XBet Over/Under: Under 222.5
BetMGM Spread: +6.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 3.00
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 222.5

They have may defeated the reigning NBA champions, but the Los Angeles Lakers enter this series with a low profile, especially since they are going against Denver which had the best record in the division during the regular season.

Remember that the Lakers ended the season in 7th position, and went through the Play-In, when they won the Timberwolves, who were beaten by the Nuggets.

As LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead, Los Angeles has had a clean season after winning the number two team in the West, the Grizzlies, and eliminating the Warriors in six games on Friday night.

The defense has been the Lakers’ stronghold this period, they hold their rivals to below 105 points scored in six of their 12 games played.

In offense, James is essential to the team, but Davis is the game-changer on the court. Matter of fact, the legendary center has dominated in offense and defense, and in the playoffs too, he averages 21.2 points per game with 14.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.

It will definitely be thrilling to see how he’ll hold this same performance against Nikola Jokic, one of the best players in the league and the MVP of the last two seasons.

MatchPlug Prediction

Los Angeles and Denver had had excellent defenses in their respective series, but Lakers VS Nuggets matches generate high-scoring games.

On one hand, the Nuggets’ offense was the only one to conclude the regular season with over 59% shooting accuracy and was the fourth-best team in three-point shooting percentage.

The Lakers, on the other hand, use Davis’ dominance on the court as an edge, his quick transitions, and the fantastic play of Austin Reaves, who has been a revolutionary playing beside Davis and James.

The last eight matches these teams played in Denver finished in the Over, while 29 of their previous Lakers VS Nuggets meetings ended in high-scoring matches.

new york mets vs tampa bay rays match preview

MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Mets VS Tampa Bay Rays betting Predictions

New York Mets Vs Tampa Bay Rays will have Tampa Bay play host to New York in the first match of their three-game series today.

The Rays were off after concluding another three-game series against the Yankees on Monday. Meanwhile, the New York Mets played against the Nationals on Monday too.

MatchPlug delivers a Sure Home win Prediction and has created this preview to share MLB Predictions Today for the Mets VS Rays.

Read: MLB EXPERT PICKS: Baltimore Orioles VS Los Angeles Angels betting Predictions

Predictions and Betting Preview For New York Mets VS Tampa Bay Rays Regular Season

Venue: Citi Field, New York City, New York
When: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
Time: 16:10 GMT
Teams to play: New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays
MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.648

Odds as seen on 1XBet and BetMGM.

Betting On The New York Mets

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.648
1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5
BetMGM Spread: -1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.62
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 9

New York started the year with high hopes, but so far that hope has been dashed. Before Monday, they had dropped five of their last eight games and are third in the NL East. At home, the Mets are 7-8, batting .234 as a team, with 15 home runs, four runs scored per game, and 13 perfect stolen base attempts in those home games.

Starting pitchers for the Mets, are 13-16 with a 5.28 ERA overall this season, and the bullpen record has been better with a 6-4 record and a 3.78 ERA. Justin Verlander will be starting today, New York hopes he will improve the starting rotation and possibly lead them to an NL Pennant.

Verlander went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA last season for the Houston Astros and won the AL Cy Young. This year he missed more than the first month of the season and is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA within two starts. In 22 career starts against Tampa Bay, Verlander is 11-5 with a 3.19 ERA, including the postseason, but he has not played against them since 2019.

Betting On The Tampa Bay Rays

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.448
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
BetMGM Spread: +1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.35
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 9

Tampa Bay hasn’t dropped over two games in a row so far and avoided this by securing an 8-7 victory over the Yankees on Sunday. That victory came with a scare as the final out was delivered on an Aaron Judge deep fly ball that died at the warning track.

The Rays’ offense has been excellent. This year they are 19[3 at home this season, but their bats have been particularly strong on the road, where they are 12-8. Outside Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay bat .289, with 41 home runs, and scored 6.3 runs per game which are all leading the big leagues.

Wandy Franco (.301 AVG, 7 HR, 23 RBI) and a team-best 2.5 WAR. Randy Arozarena (.320 AVG, 10 HR, 35 RBI) leads the team in RBI and is tied with Yandy Diaz (.321, 10 HR. 24 RBI for the home run lead.

Yonny Chirnio (1-1, 2.22 ERA) will start for the Rays today. Chirnio has made just one start this season but has gone for up to five innings in both of his last two innings. The Rays starters are 20-5 with a 2.94 ERA, and the relievers are 10-6 with a 3.41 ERA.

MatchPlug Prediction

Tampa Bay’s offense is superior, and with the additional rest day, they got, their bullpen is in good shape to obstruct the Mets’ bat. No team has hit balls better in away matches like the Rays have or been more consistent than them.

Verlander takes the mound and gives the Mets some hope, but they have been inconsistent this season. The Rays may gain a late-match edge over them.

baltimore orioles vs los angeles angels match preview

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Baltimore Orioles VS Los Angeles Angels betting Predictions

Los Angeles Angels VS Baltimore Orioles play their ongoing three-game series on Tuesday in Baltimore. Both teams are on the prowl in their respective divisions this season.

Right-hander, Chase Silseth (0-0, 3.24) will pitch for the Angels against Dean Kremer (4-1, 4.97) from the Orioles.

Bet on this game by using this preview by MatchPlug to get Sure tips for today and MLB Expert Pick for Angels VS Orioles.

See: MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Mets VS Tampa Bay Rays betting Predictions

Predictions and Betting Preview for Baltimore Orioles VS Los Angeles Angels MLB Regular Season

Venue: Camden Yard, Baltimore, Maryland
When: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
Time: 15:35 GMT
Teams to play: Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels
MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.772

Odds by 1XBet and BetMGM.

Betting On The Baltimore Orioles

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.772
1XBet Over/Under: Over 9.5
BetMGM Spread: -1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.74
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 9.5

Baltimore maintains a high-level play with speed, defense, and pop, and is close to the top of the AL standings due to this. Entering this series, the Orioles have won four of their past five games: their four-game winning streak and the opportunity to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Monday night when playing against the Angels, Baltimore’s pitching conceded 17 hits and nine runs to Los Angeles and dropped their second straight game in a 9-5 loss.

The Orioles will hand the ball to Kremet in game two of the series. He is 4-1 in eight starts this season with an ERA of 4.97. Kremer allowed 48 hits in 41.2 innings so far this season. At home he is 2-0 with a 5.14 ERA in four starts, allowing 21 hits in 21 innings pitched in home starts.

Dean has only a 6.0 K/9 rate at home this season. His hard-hit percentage is up to 47.7% this season after he reduced that number to a career-low 39.3% last season.

Betting On The Los Angeles Angels

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.216
1XBet Over/Under: Under 9.5
BetMGM Spread: +1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.15
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 9.5

Los Angeles has a big question mark on it, as their chances of making it to the top of the standings grow slimmer, especially with two of the three best baseball players on their roster. When you consider that Shohei Ohtani will become a free agent at the end of this season, that chance becomes non-existent.

The Angels enter the series with four out of five games, plus two out of three to the Cleveland Guardians during the weekend. On Monday, in game one of this series, Ohtani pulled out all the stops; seven innings with five strikeouts, also going for 4-for-5 from the plate a double short of the cycle in a 9-5 Angels’ win.

Silseth will pitch for the Angels, making a spot start for them. This will be his first season start and fifth appearance overall. He has thrown 8.1 innings in his first four appearances, allowing five hits and three runs.

He has struck out three and walked three in that time. Silseth’s longest outing of the year was in his last appearance, going 3.1 innings and permitting five hits and six runs, three of which were earned. Chase made seven starts last season, going 1-3 with a 6.59 ERA.

MatchPlug Prediction

The Baltimore Orioles has one of the American League’s best home records and has designed their style to fit the large dimensions of Camden Yards. They are 14th in home runs in baseball but are third in walks and third in stolen bases. Due to this, they are a respectable eight in runs scored.

Los Angeles on the other hand is just 26th in caught stealing and 21st in walks as a pitching staff.

This game will be one for the bullpens, including Kremer averaging just over five innings per start at home this season and Silseth will make his first start of the season for the Angels and to get past the fourth inning.

Keeping this in mind, the advantage in the bullpen will go to the Baltimore Orioles with the 2nd-best bullpen ERA in baseball.

Final Prediction: Baltimore Orioles Moneyline.

Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four

Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have claimed that third-placed Newcastle United are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United before the end of the season.

Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons and have spent most of the recent months in the top four. However, they are now under pressure from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.

The Reds have won seven league games in a row to narrow the gap between them and the two teams to one point. They have scored 20 goals in their last seven games while keeping three clean sheets in their last three games, leading to suggestions that they are back to their best.

However, they have played a game more than Manchester United and Newcastle, meaning their top-four destiny isn’t in their hands. But Neville and Carragher have insisted there is a possibility that Eddie Howe’s side will miss out on qualifying for the Champions League.

“I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.

“They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching. They’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points, it’s not necessarily they play badly; they just drop points.

“But yeah, I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge, and if they drop points in that, I think there will be a big worry.”

Fellow pundit Neville backed up Carragher’s view and stated that Newcastle’s fixtures made it more difficult for them than Erik ten Hag’s side.

The Magpies face Brighton and Leicester at home and Chelsea away, while the Red Devils travel to Bournemouth before hosting Chelsea and Fulham to end the season.

“Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds, so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out), and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games.

‘Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful, but it’s still quite difficult.’

Neville continued: “I mean, the unthinkable could happen (United missing out on the top four). I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in the top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this, but they’ve been sensational.

“I thought Man United would get in the top four, so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously, United have comfortable games there.

“They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home, so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.”

Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement

Chelsea are reportedly planning to accelerate contract talks with midfielder Mason Mount following their imminent hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager.

The Blues are close to reaching a full agreement with the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who is set to fly into London and sign a contract in the coming days. After months of uncertainty, the Argentine is expected to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

And with that sorted out, Chelsea are expected now to turn their focus on the future of midfielder Mount. The 24-year-old’s deal at the club expires next summer, and he has previously rejected the offer of an extension. As a result, the club has told him that he will be sold this summer if he does not change his stance.

And now, according to a report by 90min, Chelsea want to return to the negotiation table. They feel confident that they can persuade Mount this time, with the imminent arrival of Pochettino seen as the primary reason the midfielder would commit to new terms.

Pochettino is understood to be a massive fan of the 24-year-old England international and has made it clear to Chelsea that he wants them to fight to keep the academy graduate beyond this summer.

Should Mount renew his contract at Stamford Bridge, it will be a massive blow to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who are keen on his services. The German boss wants to rebuild his ageing midfield and sees the 24-year-old as a perfect fit.

Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

The Champions League return this Tuesday with Inter Milan and AC Milan facing each other for the second time in a week when they meet at San Siro in the second leg of their UCL semi-final tie.

Inter come into this tie in serious form, having won each of their last seven games in all competitions. The most recent in that sequence was a 4-2 win over Sassuolo at the weekend.

That result kept them on course to finish in the Serie A top four, as they ended the round sitting in third position, five points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan.

They will not turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will look to secure their first European final since 2010. Inter put one foot in the final thanks to a 2-0 win in the first leg of this tie, with goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan giving Simone Inzaghi’s men a commanding first-leg lead.

They only need to secure a place in Istanbul to avoid defeat here. They will fancy their chances here because they have kept four clean sheets from their five 2022/23 UCL knockout games.

Meanwhile, having been humbled in the first leg of this semi-final, things went from bad to worse for AC Milan, as they were humiliated by relegation-battling Spezia in the league.

That result leaves their hopes of UCL qualification for next season through a top-four finish in Serie A in tatters. So their best chance to play in the UCL is to win this tournament in this campaign.

Stefano Pioli will be hoping his side can run this around at San Siro, where they enjoyed good form in Europe this season, despite a 2-0 loss in the first leg.

However, the Rosenneri haven’t won a UCL knockout game when they are the designated away side since 2006/07 (D4, L6). And their record of just one win in their last eight away games (D4, L3) also complicates their chances here.

Meanwhile, AC Milan’s last eight games in all competitions have produced exactly two total goals. So, we can expect an under 2.5 goals game here.

Day: May 16, 2023

NBA PREDICTIONS: Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Expert Picks

Predictions and Betting Preview for Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals

Betting On The Miami Heat

Betting On Boston Celtics

NBA PREDICTIONS: Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks

Predictions and Betting Preview For Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs Game 1 Final

Betting On The Denver Nuggets

Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers

MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Mets VS Tampa Bay Rays betting Predictions

Predictions and Betting Preview For New York Mets VS Tampa Bay Rays Regular Season

Betting On The New York Mets

Betting On The Tampa Bay Rays

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Baltimore Orioles VS Los Angeles Angels betting Predictions

Predictions and Betting Preview for Baltimore Orioles VS Los Angeles Angels MLB Regular Season

Betting On The Baltimore Orioles

Betting On The Los Angeles Angels

Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four

Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement

Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

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