A nine-game NBA slate on Wednesday is highlighted by a double-header on ESPN that begins with the Boston Celtics visiting the Miami Heat. It is a possible first-round playoff preview in the Eastern Conference, as Boston is the No. 2 seed as it stands right now Miami appears to be locked into a play-in tournament spot — meaning it could end up being the No. 7 seed.
Let’s dive into my Celtics vs. Heat prediction.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat odds
Money line: Celtics -210 / Heat +175
Spread: Celtics -5 (-110) / Heat +5 (-110)
Total: Over 228.5 (-110) / Under 228.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat best bet #1: Under 228.5 (-110)
This is a fascinating contrast in styles that features the fastest team in the entire association and the absolute slowest. The Heat lead the NBA in possessions per game (107.2); the Celtics are dead last (98.5). Something has to give — and that something is probably Miami’s breakneck speed. That’s because the superior side is normally the one that can dictate tempo — and there can be no argument against the fact that Boston is the superior side in this case.
Moreover, the Celtics are incredibly consistent on the defensive end of the floor. They have limited 10 straight opponents to no more than 112 points. During this stretch, five opponents have failed to exceed 102 points. Boston leads the NBA in scoring defense (106.9 ppg). Meanwhile, Miami’s Norman Powell (22.1 ppg) is out with an illness and Andrew Wiggins (15.6 ppg) is questionable due to a toe injury.
The under is 5-1 in the Celtics’ last six games and 7-3 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings. The most recent H2H matchup resulted in a meager 98-96 scoreline.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat best player prop bet: Payton Pritchard Over 2.5 three-pointers (-112)
The Heat are giving up the ninth-most three-pointers at 13.8 per game and have allowed the second-most triples over the past three contests (16.3). Unsurprisingly, Pritchard went 4-for-6 from the land of plenty when Boston beat Miami last month.
For the season, Pritchard is averaging 17.0 ppg; over the last three games he has poured in 26.7 ppg. The Oregon product has surpassed this 2.5 quota in six of the last eight outings, sinking at least four three-pointers on four of those occasions. Pritchard went 4-for-6 from downtown on Monday against Atlanta despite logging just 26 minutes on the second leg of a back-to-back situation. He averaged 35 minutes in the previous three contests and can expect another heavy workload in this one.