The wounded 5-3 Celtics wrap up their four-game road trip with a visit to Miami, taking on the 3-3 Heat in their first meeting since last year’s Conference Final.
As a five seed underdog, Miami took that series in six games before ultimately losing in the finals.
Wednesday’s bout is the first of two meetings this season between these two clubs, the second coming Sunday back in Boston. It’ll be the Celtics’ first trip back to Florida since the NBA bubble.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Heat have opened as 2.5-point favourites at home, which speaks to how even these teams are. In the last 10 Heat–Celtics games not only is each time 5-5 straight up by also even against the spread.
Oddsmakers have set the total at 218 and there’s a real trend behind Boston overs, going 4-1 in their last five and 6-2 in their last eight on the road. But it’s the opposite for Miami; their unders are hot. Four out of Miami’s last six have gone under, as well as six of their last seven at home. The Heat ranking 27th in points for has a played a large role.
Boston Celtics
Without Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and Jeff Teague in the lineup it was Jason Tatum who stepped up with a season-high 40 in Boston’s most recent win. The 12-point victory over Toronto saw Boston shoot over 50 per cent from the arc and record 60 points off the bench.
It called for several season-highs, including 2019 and 2020 first-round picks Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard respectively. Williams dropped 14, but it was Pritchard who exploded for 23 points on eight of 13 shooting from the field. The 6’2 point guard chimed in for eight assists too.
Although dealing with some key injuries, Boston hasn’t caught their stride yet. Their + 0.8 point differential ranks 13th in the NBA, and aside from Tatum and Jaylen Brown no starter has an efficiency rating above 16.
Miami Heat
Tied for first in the NBA with 17.7 turnovers per game, the Heat haven’t been playing to their potential. There have spurts, like a 20-0 third quarter run during a 28-point win over Oklahoma City Tuesday, but lack consistency. It stems within their starting lineup.
Miami has yet to roster the same starting five, they’ve also yet to win two straight games. One consistent has been Bam Adebayo, who led all scorers Tuesday with 20 points.
Adebayo’s continued to elevate his overall play after last year’s emergence, leading the Heat with 19.2 points and eight rebounds per game. The former Kentucky Wildcat is also fourth on the team with 4.3 assists per game, and second with 1.3 steals to per game.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 5 Jan 8:46pm | BOS | -2.5 -110 | O +218 -110 |
| Closing 6 Jan 11:31pm | BOS | -2 -110 | O +218.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Tristan Thompson (C)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Tues | Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Sat | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tristan Thompson (C) | Prob Tues | Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Ques Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 15 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Kendrick Nunn (PG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Thurs | Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Tues | Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 02 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets. |
|||||
| Nemanja Bjelica (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 5 Jan 8:46pm BOS -2.5 -110 O +218 -110 Closing 6 Jan 11:31pm BOS -2 -110 O +218.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Tristan Thompson (C)
Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kemba Walker (PG) Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Robert Williams III (C) Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 2-3 3-2 + - Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Kemba Walker (PG) Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C) Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goran Dragic (PG) Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Kendrick Nunn (PG) Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21 8-4 8-4 + - Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.