This Eastern Conference semifinals series didn't take long to get intense, as Miami's Game 1 victory Sunday over Boston got mean at times and resulted in Paul Pierce getting ejected. So the Celtics will be trying to avoid falling down 0-2 when the teams meet Tuesday night again at American Airlines Arena in Miami (7 p.m. EST, TNT).

The Heat grabbed a 15-point halftime lead in Sunday's opener and carried on for a 99-90 victory. Dwyane Wade led the way with 38 points, going 14-for-21 from the field, and James Jones came off the bench to toss in 25, going 5-for-7 from three-point range and 10-for-10 from the FT line. 

The Celtics made just six of their first 26 shots from the floor Sunday, and shot 43 percent for the game. The Heat, meanwhile, shot 47 percent from the field, and went 26-for-32 from the FT line. Miami did, however, commit 18 turnovers.

So the Heat got the cover Sunday as five-point home favorites. And the game played ‘over’ its posted total of 180.

Tuesday night could see the return of both The Big Shamrock for the Celtics and Udonis Haslem for the Heat. Both players have missed considerable time this season, but both seem on the verge of returning for a playoff run.

Boston took three of four games from Miami during the regular season, but thanks to a Heat blowout in the final meeting Miami actually outscored the Celtics by a 92-91 per-game average. Three of those games played ‘under’ their totals, even though the average ‘over/under ‘was just 186.

Boston shot a collective 47 percent from the field in those four games, the Heat 45 percent. But Miami won the battle on the boards by a 40-36 per-game margin.

Last Spring Boston beat the Heat in five games in the first round of the playoffs, but that, of course, was a very different Miami team, one without LeBron and Chris Bosh, among others.

After Tuesday's game this series moves to Boston for Games 3 and 4 Saturday and Monday.

Celtics at Heat Game 2 Odds and Betting Trends

As of Tuesday morning most online sportsbooks, including Sports Interaction, are listing Miami at -5.5 over Boston. The Heat are also being offered at right around -220 on most moneyline, with the Celtics getting +180 to win straight-up. And the total ranges from 181 at BetUS to 182.5 at Sports Interaction.

Before this series started Sports Interaction was listing Miami at -200 to win this series, with Boston getting +140. The betting site is now lining Miami at -303 on the series, with Boston at +205.

Boston is 4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS in these playoffs.

Miami is 5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS in these playoffs.

The totals are 2-3 in Boston's playoff games.

The totals are 3-3 in Miami's playoff games.

Boston is 25-19 SU, 20-24 ATS on the road this season.

Miami is 34-11 SU, 18-27 ATS at home this season.

NBA Picks: Celtics at Heat Game 2 Predictions

Boston shot terribly Sunday, fell behind by 19 points, lost Pierce with seven minutes to go and still had a chance late to pick up the cover, trailing by just seven with 30 seconds to go. And Miami got 25 points from Jones off the bench, which probably won't happen again. So we figure if the Celtics can just shoot a little better, and get Pierce to keep his cool, they should have a chance not just to cover but to even this series up with an outright victory. So we'll take Boston and the points Tuesday night. 

Allen Eastman has been dominating the NBA odds lately and his NBA picks have tallied an 12-4run for the NBA Playoffs. His NBA handicapping is considered amongst the top in the nation and he has another strong card coming for Tuesday. Click Here to buy a one-day package for only $29.