The series basketball fans had hoped would come to fruition will officially get underway today as the Celtics and Heat begin their best of seven showdown in Miami. Today's Game 1 clash is scheduled to tip off at 3:30pm ET on ABC. NBA Spreads are favoring the hosting Heat by five points; the game total is set at 180.5 with both the Over and Under drawing an even -110 odds.
Boston did not play well down the stretch in the regular season, but the veteran club knows how to play 
postseason basketball and that was never more evident than its four game ouster of its Atlantic Division rival New York.
The Celtics received a fight from the Knicks in games one and two, winning both contests by a combined five points, but games three and four, which took place at Madison Square Garden, proved little trouble for Paul Pierce and company.
Boston won the final two games of the set by an average of 14.5 points per game after totalling 214 points.
Rajon Rondo controlled the pace of each game as he nearly averaged a triple double for the series (19 ppg, 12 apg, 7.3 rpg). Rondo's best performance came in Game 3 when he finished with 15 points, 20 assists, and 11 rebounds.
Miami needed five games to get past its first round opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a Game 4 slip up, the Heat dominated the series with a stiffling brand of defense.
Philly averaged a first round worst 86.6 points per game while the occasionally offensively challenged Heat dropped in 94 per outing.
LeBron James averaged a 24.2 point/10.6 rebound double double for the series while Dwyane Wade posted an average of 22.2 points per game in the abbreviated set. Chris Bosh also produced his fair share for the Heat, tallying 19.8 points and nine rebounds per outing in eliminating the 76ers.
Miami got the better of things the last time these two teams hooked up, stomping the Celtics 100-77 on April 10th at the AmericanAirlines Arena. However, Boston had won four straight and eight of nine against the Heat prior to that lopsided setback.
Expect the Celtics to keep this game close and possibly even pull off the upset as the Heat struggle to contain the ultra quick Rondo.
Celtics vs Heat Game 1 Odds 2011 NBA Playoff Picks:
Boston Celtics +5 (-110), Over 180.5 (-110), +180 (Moneyline)
Miami Heat -5 (-110), Under 180.5 (-110), -220 (Moneyline)
