The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat lock horns in Wednesday’s marquee game. It’s their fourth and final meeting before a potential first-round playoff series. The Celtics have claimed the season series with a 3-0 record. The Heat have come closer each game to causing an upset.
In their most recent encounter, the Heat lost 98-96 on Feb. 6. Miami began that contest with a 29-16 first quarter and held a 21-point lead at halftime. However, Boston punched back in the third with a 36-15 run and closed the game after Derrick White hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 1:31 left. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
The Celtics enter this game with a 50-25 record, second in the East, while the Heat are ninth with a 40-36 record.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Game Details
ESPN will nationally televise the Celtics vs. Heat game. NBC Sports Boston and FanDuel Sports Network Sun will provide local coverage of this contest. ESPN Unlimited (US) and NBA League Pass (globally) will stream the clash online. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Celtics vs. Heat Odds
Moneyline: Celtics -210, Heat +170
Spread: Celtics -5.5 (-106), Heat +5.5 (-113)
Total over/under: Celtics over 228.5 (-110), Heat under 228.5 (-111)
Celtics vs. Heat Preview
The Boston Celtics are 7-3 over their past 10 games. They are coming off a 112-102 loss against the Atlanta Hawks. Boston was shorthanded and playing without Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta. Still, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White available, the 18-time champions were expected to put up a decent fight.
The Celtics did so for the first half, tying the scores at 54-54. However, the Hawks capitalized on the Celtics’ offensive struggles in the second half, taking a 14-point lead into the fourth. The mountain was too steep for Boston to climb, and it eventually ended a three-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are 3-7 over their past 10 games, but are coming off a 119-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The defense finally showed up after weeks of struggle as Miami limited Philadelphia to 42% shooting. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo rarely put a foot wrong offensively, scoring a combined 53 points on 48.5% shooting.
Celtics vs. Heat Betting Tips
Jaylen Brown is favored to score over 26.5 points.
Jayson Tatum is favored to grab under 8.5 rebounds.
Tyler Herro is favored to make over 2.5 3-pointers.
Celtics vs. Heat Injury Reports
Celtics
The Celtics have listed Ron Harper Jr. as questionable due to a right ankle sprain. Nikola Vucevic remains sidelined as he recovers from a finger fracture.
Heat
The Heat have listed Andrew Wiggins as questionable due to a left big toe injury. Norman Powell is out citing respiratory illness.
Celtics vs. Heat Starting Lineups
Celtics
PG – Derrick White, SG – Jaylen Brown, SF – Sam Hauser, PF – Jayson Tatum, C – Neemias Queta
Heat
PG – Tyler Herro, SG – Davion Mitchell, SF – Pelle Larsson, PF – Andrew Wiggins, C – Bam Adebayo
Celtics vs. Heat Prediction
The Celtics are 5.5-point favorites to sweep the season series against the Heat on Wednesday. They will have their entire starting lineup available for the first time in three games, which might be too much for Miami to handle. Nevertheless, with the Heat having homecourt advantage and momentum with a win in the last game, there’s a decent chance an upset could unfold.
