Celtics-Heat Game 4 betting preview: Who has the rest advantage?

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The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat enter Game 4 on three days' rest after last playing Saturday. How will the extended time off affect each team?

Here's all the betting info you need for Wednesday's pivotal tilt.

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics (-3, 211.5)

The early money is on the Celtics and the over. Boston opened -2.5, hit as high as -3.5, then settled back down to -3. The total, meanwhile, keeps climbing. It opened 210, hit as high as 212, dropped to 211.5, then crept back up to 212 early Wednesday afternoon.

The case for the Celtics

A three-day layoff might just be what the doctor ordered for the Celtics, who trail 2-1 in the series. Though Boston built momentum by getting on the board in Game 3, the team may benefit from the time off after playing a full seven-game series against the Raptors in Round 2.

Head coach Brad Stevens having extra time to prepare is almost unfair. Boston is an impressive 19-7-1 ATS when it has at least three days of rest between games. Stevens also continues filling pockets whenever the Celtics are favorites in the playoffs: He's 23-8-1 ATS the last 32.

The case for the Heat

If you thought the Celtics' rest angle was solid, the Heat have been even better. Head coach Erik Spoelstra is an astounding 40-18 ATS when he has three days or more to prepare.

Miami has also been one of the best bounce-back bets in the league, covering 24 of the last 32 games after an outright loss and 11 of the last 15 when it's a double-digit defeat. After an 11-point loss in Game 3, expect the Heat to throw the kitchen sink at Boston as they aim for a 3-1 series lead.

Notable betting trends

• The Celtics are 6-2 ATS the last eight after allowing 100 points or more
• The Celtics are 34-14-4 in their last 52 Wednesday games
• The Celtics are 11-3 to the under the last 14 after a double-digit win
• The Celtics are 12-4 to the under the last 16 overall
• The Celtics are 9-3 to the under on three days of rest or more
• The Heat are 6-2 ATS the last eight conference finals games
• The Heat are 5-2 ATS the last seven as playoff underdogs
• The Heat are 33-16-2 ATS the last 51 following an ATS loss
• The Heat are 4-0 to the under the last four following a loss
• The Heat are 7-3 to the over the last 10 on three days of rest or more

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.