The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics lock horns in a regular-season game at the TD Garden on Friday, with tipoff at 7:30 p.m. EST. The Celtics have dominated the Heat this season, winning both of the previous matchups convincingly.
The Heat enter this content with a 27-25 record and are fighting to stay in the top half of the play-in spot or climb up the standings from eighth place to secure an automatic spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Celtics are riding a four-game winning streak, sitting in third place in the East with a 33-18 record.
Thanks for the submission!
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction
•
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Betting Tips and Odds
Moneyline: Heat (+200), Celtics (-245)
Spread: Heat +6.5 (-114), Celtics -6.5 (-109)
Total over/under o/u: Heat o229.5 (-111), Celtics u229.5 (-111)
Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.
Betting Tips
- Jaylen Brown is expected to score over 30.5 points.
- Bam Adebayo is expected to record over 10.5 rebounds.
- Derrick White is recorded to record over 6.5 assists.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Preview
The Miami is a better offensive team, averaging 119.9 points per game, compared to Boston’s 115.9 points on a nightly basis. The Celtics are a more efficient team, shooting 46.7% from the floor, while the Heat shoot 43.8%. The Heat is marginally better in rebounding (46.6) and assists (28.7).
The Celtics have relied on their defense to win ball games. Joe Mazzulla’s team allows just 108.6 points per game, while the Heat surrender 118.0. Miami’s success is a direct result of its high-powered offense, while Eric Spoelstra’s team also leads the league in pace.
The Heat must control the glass and stop Neemias Queta and newly-acquired Nikola Vucevic from winning the rebounding battle. Bam Adebayo needs to contribute heavily on offense along with anchoring the team’s defense and controlling the glass.
Boston needs to run its offense through Jaylen Brown and let the former NBA Finals MVP take over. Meanwhile, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser each have the ability to catch fire from beyond the arc in a hurry. If any one of them finds a rhythm early, the Heat could be in for a long night.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Starting Lineups Tonight
Miami Heat starting lineup
PG: Norman Powell, SG: Davion Mitchell, SF: Simone Fontecchio, PF: Andrew Wiggins, C: Bam Adebayo.
Heat depth chart against Celtics:
Boston Celtics starting lineup
PG: Payton Pritchard, SG: Derrick White, SF: Jaylen Brown, PF: Sam Hauser, C: Neemias Queta.
Celtics depth chart against Heat:
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Prediction
The Celtics have momentum and home-court advantage against a Miami squad that is unpredictable. Boston has more firepower at its disposal and is even a healthier team. Expect the Celtics to feed off the energy from their home fans and stretch their win streak to five games with a convincing win.
Final score prediction: Celtics win 118-107.
Edited by Atishay Jain
