The Miami Heat (4-4) are in Beantown Sunday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off against the Boston Celtics (7-3) in the TD Garden. Below, we analyze the Heat-Celtics NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Heat held off the Washington Wizards last night in a 128-124 road win but couldn’t get the cover as 7.5-point favorites. The shooting percentages were pretty equal between the two but, the major differences in the game were Miami out-rebounding the 67-48, and the Heat had crisper ball movement, throwing seven more assists than the Wizards.
Boston also beat the Wizards albeit more convincingly—a 116-107 win at home—but covered as 3.5-point favorites. Celtics’ stars balled out as usual: Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 32 points on 14-of-27 shooting and Jaylen Brown put up 27 points adding 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
Elephant in the room: This should be a revenge spot for the Celtics after being eliminated in six games by Miami in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals but, Boston’s injury report scrolls. For what it’s worth, Boston was 2-1 last season’s regular-season series vs. Miami (2-1 ATS) but 2-0 in non-bubble games.
Heat at Celtics: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Heat -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Celtics +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Against the spread/ATS: Heat -7.5 (-110) | Celtics +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 212.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Heat at Celtics: Key Injuries
Heat
- C Meyers Leonard (shoulder) probable
Celtics
- SF Jayson Tatum (COVID) out
- C Robert Williams (COVID) out
- PF Grant Williams (COVID) out
- SF Jaylen Brown (health and safety protocols) questionable
- PF Semi Ojeleye (health and safety protocols) questionable
- PF Tristan Thompson (health and safety protocols) questionable
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
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Heat at Celtics: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Heat 117, Celtics 101
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE. Miami is the right side in this one, but it’s too expensive to bet Heat (-300) for an outright win.
Against the spread (ATS)
Miami is trying to get on the plus side of the win-loss column, and this is a bit of a revenge spot. Granted, it’s not a full-fledged revenge spot given it’s only the regular season, and the Celtics are without Tatum.
But it’s not just the Tatum loss that the Celtics have to sweat, Boston is also without Kemba Walker and Brown (the Celtics’ leading scorer). In fact, this Boston injury report is nearly as lengthy as the New England Patriots’ in Week 17.
There’s no question we’ll get a full effort out of Boston with head coach Brad Stevens working the gears, but to me, it’s more of a question of “how long can the Celtics keep this game within a single-digit margin?”
This line has already moved up from Boston laying 3.5 points on the opener and every schnook and square are going to take Miami tonight. The best we can hope for is that the three-game NFL Wild Card Weekend slate distracts bettors enough so they don’t push this line past my buy-price.
For now, I’d TAKE HEAT -7.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS ON THE TOTAL with a lean on Under 212.5 (-110). But, aside from the obvious (the absences of Boston’s best scorers), I don’t have a strong feel for the total.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Boston’s Kemba Walker cleared to begin practicing with team (Celtics Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Heat | Celtics
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