The Boston Celtics (56-19) will host the Miami Heat (34-41) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Celtics are 10.5-point favorites over the Heat on the spread (Celtics -10.5), with the over/under set at 211.5 total points. Boston is a -550 favorite to win outright, while Miami is +400 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Heat vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 2.
Heat vs Celtics Prediction
After losing 10 straight games, the Heat have now rattled off five consecutive wins by double digits. However, this recent run is a bit misleading, as four of the five teams they defeated had records below .500. Wednesday's matchup against the Celtics represents a big step up in class, and I'm banking on Boston to turn the tables and hand Miami a double-digit loss of its own.
My Pick: Celtics -10.5
Heat vs Celtics Odds, Spread, Picks
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 211.5 -110 / -110 | +400 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 211.5 -110 / -110 | -550 |
- Heat vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -10.5
- Heat vs. Celtics over/under: 211.5 total points
- Heat vs. Celtics moneyline: Heat +400, Celtics -550
- Heat vs. Celtics best bet: Celtics -10.5 (-110)
My Celtics vs. Heat best bet is on Boston to cover the spread, with the best odds available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics NBA Preview
I'm not much of a believer in this Miami team that had its struggles even before Jimmy Butler started acting out and demanded a trade. This is a roster that seemed to lack explosive talent, instead relying on its guile and defensive principles for success.
The notion that the Heat can flip a switch when it comes to the playoffs simply isn't sustainable when you have to depend on individual performances to bail you out.
Miami can be a frustrating team because its slow-prodding style of play isn't conducive to scoring easy buckets. For example, Miami ranks 23rd in points off turnovers (16.4), 25th in transition scoring (13.8) and 28th in second-chance points (11.8).
The second-chance scoring is particularly interesting because Miami is woeful on the glass. The Heat's most-used lineup this season still consists of Butler, Haywood Highsmith, and Duncan Robinson, who have garnered most of the starts at the forward position, but all three players only combined to average 10.8 rebounds.
Therefore, it's unsurprising that the Heat are just 27th in offensive rebounding (9.5).
Another issue for Miami is that it doesn't score enough inside the paint. It ranks 23rd (46.4) in this category, and Adebayo must take some blame. Adebayo has more than quadrupled his 3-point attempts per game since last season (0.6 to 2.7) despite shooting worse (35.7% to 33.3%).
As a result, he's shooting below 50% (48.5%) from the field for the first time in his eight-year career. Adebayo's progression, or lack thereof, is almost a microcosm of this Heat team that hasn't been able to take that next step in its development.
With Boston on a 6-0 run straight up and against the spread with double-digit victories in the last six meetings, I've yet to see any concrete signs that Miami is ready to turn the corner.
Celtics' guard Derrick White is one player who can benefit from Miami's frailties on the glass. White has a rebounds prop of 4.5, a number he has exceeded in nine of his last 11 games with an average of 5.55.
White enters this contest coming off back-to-back road games against the Spurs and Grizzlies, where he finished with eight rebounds. His numbers against Miami are also favorable, as he has cleared this line in six of his last 11 meetings (55%).
Given White's current form, the over is worth a look in this spot, and combining it with the Celtics to cover the spread of -11 provides a +260 return on a same game parlay.
Heat vs Celtics Betting Prediction
- Celtics -10.5 (-110)
Heat vs Celtics Parlay Picks
- Derrick White Over 4.5 Rebounds
- Celtics -10.5
Parlay Payout: +260
