Sports Betting This Weekend: Celtics/Heat, Red Sox/Diamondbacks, Phillies/Braves

With several quick Conference Finals rounds wrapping up this week, the online sports betting schedule is preparing to enter a critical period. Both the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are just days away.

Elsewhere in the world of sports, there are 15 MLB series, with French Open odds and the College World Series on the horizon.

Spring is indeed a busy time at BetMGM. Here are some notable events:

NBA Playoffs

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, Game 6

Saturday, May 25  |  8:30 p.m. ET  |  TNT

It can’t really happen… right? 

The Miami Heat jumped out to a quick 3-0 series lead in this year’s rematch edition of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Jimmy Butler has been a force of nature; as a collective, the Heat shot 50% or better from behind the arc in two of the first three games. 

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit. Teams in such positions are now 0-150 all-time, following the Lakers’ recent elimination at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. 

But Boston outlasted Miami in Tuesday’s Game 4, then blasted Miami on Thursday night to reach Saturday’s Game 6.

BetMGM’s NBA playoff odds have Boston down to +120 for the series – a remarkable turnaround, considering the history of 3-0 deficits. 

So, it can’t really happen… right?

Major League Baseball

Boston Red Sox at Arizona Diamondbacks

Friday, May 26 through Sunday, May 28  |  FOX (Saturday only)

The Red Sox finished last in the AL East in 2022, but Boston fans were optimistic that the 2023 season would yield a bounce-back season.

So far, it’s mixed results. Boston is indeed over .500, but it’s still tied for last in a hypercompetitive division. Its +7 run differential is 15th in the Majors but dead last in the division.

As of Thursday morning, the Sox were 9.5 games behind first-place Tampa. 

The games won’t get any easier this weekend when Boston heads down to Phoenix for a weekend series with the Diamondbacks.

Arizona has lofty goals of its own, as the Diamondbacks (29-21) are trying to keep pace with the Dodgers (31-20). 

Right now, Arizona ace Zac Gallen (6-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) is second in the table for NL Cy Young odds. At +275, Gallen only trails Spencer Strider (+225).

Major League Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Friday, May 26 through Sunday, May 28  |  ESPN2 (Sunday only)

Last year’s National League winner draws the five-time NL East defending champion in an exciting divisional standoff. It’s the first time this season the Braves and Phillies are playing. 

The Phillies (23-26) are off to a sluggish start, suffering from a classic World Series loser’s hangover. The pitching has been subpar, with Philadelphia’s team ERA of 4.54 rankings 23rd in MLB. At 9-16, Philadelphia has the second-worst road record in the National League.

Atlanta (30-19) is headed in the opposite direction. The Braves are the only team in the division with a positive run differential (+55). BetMGM’s MLB odds have them as a prohibitive -500 favorite to win the NL East again. 

The Braves are coming off a series loss to the Dodgers, which is only their fourth series loss of the season. A rebound against the ailing Phillies could be just what the club needs.