Despite losing its last game, the Boston Celtics (47-29) enter Wednesday’s matchup with the Miami Heat (48-28) as the hottest team in the league. But they face a big test against the Eastern Conference leaders. Tip-off from TD Garden will be at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Heat vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Heat snapped their four-game losing streak Monday with a 123-100 win over the Sacramento Kings. Miami is just 4-6 in its last 10 games, with five of those losses coming as the favorite. The Heat lead the NBA in 3-point percentages (37.4%) and defensively, they allow the fourth-fewest points per game (105.2).
The Celtics were extremely short-handed in their last game against the Toronto Raptors, missing SF Jayson Tatum, SG Jaylen Brown and C Robert Williams. As 8.5-point underdogs, they still managed to take the Raptors into OT before losing 115-112. Boston is 8-2 in its last 10 games and currently holds the third seed in the East.
Heat at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:37 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Heat +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Celtics -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat +5.5 (-120) | Celtics -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Heat at Celtics key injuries
Heat
- SF Caleb Martin (calf) questionable
- SF Duncan Robinson (illness) questionable
- G Gabe Vincent (toe) questionable
Celtics
- SF Jayson Tatum (knee) probable
- SG Jaylen Brown (knee) probable
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out
[tipico]
Heat at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 113, Heat 107
Money line
The Celtics were already considered one of the best teams in the league but in their loss to the Raptors on Monday, they showed how deep and unreliant they are on their stars. Now with Tatum and Brown expected to be back, the Celtics will pick up where they left off when they had won six straight.
If the line dips below -200, take the CELTICS (-210) to win outright. But only make it a quarter- or half-unit because the spread is a better wager.
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Against the spread
The Celtics are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games. The Heat’s ATS record in their last 10 is, well, unsightly. They’re just 2-8 ATS in that span, struggling to cover the spread against lesser opponents.
Miami is only 3-3 when getting 5-7 points, while the Celtics are 12-6 when giving up 5-7 points as the favorites. Bet the CELTICS -5.5 (-105).
Over/Under
The total has gone over in each of the Celtics’ last six games and in five of the last six Heat games. These are two of the best defenses in the league, but the Celtics are moving the ball well and getting open looks often, which should continue against the Heat.
Bet the OVER 213.5 (-115).
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