Celtics vs Heat Picks, Prediction Tonight
Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbles around Jayson Tatum #0 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
Here's everything you need to know about Celtics vs. Heat on Thursday, Jan. 25 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today.
Let's get to our Celtics vs. Heat picks and prediction.
Celtics vs. Heat Prediction
Pick: Celtics -6.5 (-120)
We move with confidence with the Boston Celtics. They enter this contest winners in six of their last eight games, and only losing to elite teams like Denver and Milwaukee during that span.
Despite being the on the road, they come into the Thursday's game on a significant rest advantage having last played Monday January 22.
The Celtics have absolutely nobody listed on the injury report, and when the Celtics roll out their normal star studded rotation, they sit No. 1 in the NBA in net differential per 100 possessions.
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The hardest part about betting for or against the Heat in 2024 is trying to get a handle on which players will suit up.
With the Miami Heat on the second night of a home back to back, after losing to the Grizzlies last night, I am expecting Jaime Jacquez to remain out with a groin injury. I expect Kevin Love to be out after leaving Tuesday night's game, and it is likely Jimmy Butler moves to questionable at shoot-around.
The newest team addition in Terry Rozier should be active, but we should wonder if he is on a minutes restriction given he is integrating into the new team and learning the terminology.
Chances are the Heat may have no choice but to throw Terry to the wolves, and it only makes sense for it to come against his former team in the Celtics.
Celtics vs. Heat Picks, Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 224 -110 / -110 | -325 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 224 -110 / -110 | +260 |
I am willing to back the Celtics -6.5 before we reach the key NBA number of 7. DraftKings is reporting 75% of the bets and over 90% of the money on the Celtics side, so I have a strong feeling this moves out beyond 6.5 to 7.
Once we get to morning shoot-around and the injury report starts to develop, there is a chance this spikes to 7.5 or 8.
Boston clearly has the edge given the injury report thanks to a three-day rest advantage as opposed to Miami coming off of a back to back.
Pick: Celtics -6.5 (-120)
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