The Boston Celtics will continue their four-game road trip on Thursday with a matchup against their rivals, the Miami Heat. Boston, which opened the slate with a 98-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, hopes to bounce back with a win. A victory by Jaylen Brown and Co. will improve their record against the home team to 2-0 this season.
Meanwhile, the South Beach outfit looks to get some payback despite key names on the injury report. Norman Powell (back) and Pelle Larsson (finger) have been cleared to play. Tyler Herro (toe) and Nikola Jovic (knee) have been upgraded to probable, but Davion Mitchell (shoulder) is doubtful, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) is questionable.
Celtics vs Heat Odds
Moneyline: Boston (-141) vs. Miami (-102)
Odds: Boston (-2.0 -120) vs. Miami (+2.0 -119)
Total (O/U): Boston (o234.5 -116) vs. Miami (234.5 -123)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Celtics vs Heat Preview and Prediction
Preview
When Boston beat Miami in their first meeting in mid-December, the Cs shot 21-for-43 from deep (49%). This season, Jaylen Brown and his teammates are shooting 36.8% from deep, making it likely they will regress to their normal. If they can’t shoot that well from 3-point distance, they have to be aggressive in attacking the rim, despite Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware manning the paint.
Despite the Adebayo-Ware pairing, Miami is allowing opponents to score 52.6 points per game in the shaded lane. The Cs should not hesitate to go for the high percentage shots if they struggle from outside.
Miami struggled against Boston on the break in the first meeting. The Cs’ 12-5 advantage in fastbreak points did not tell the whole story. Boston’s decisiveness to attack in transition set the tone of the game.
Adebayo and Ware dominated the glass, helping the team grab 17 offensive rebounds. The two must be more efficient in punishing Boston on second-chance opportunities.
Prediction
The Celtics and the Heat often have interesting outcomes in their games over the years. Boston is struggling a little entering the game, but it relishes going up against its rival. A closely contested showdown will likely end with the Cs getting one over the Heat again.
Celtics vs Heat Player Props
Bam Adebayo’s offense is on a roller-coaster ride, particularly this month. After dropping 29 points against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, he could return to his usual scoring output. Adebayo is averaging 13.4 points per game in January, making it likely he will not top his 16.5 (O/U) points prop.
Derrick White is averaging 19.9 ppg this month. The versatile guard also led his team against Miami in the first meeting with 33 points. White could ease past his 19.5 (O/U) points prop.
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