The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are neck-and-neck in the Eastern Conference standings, but one of these teams should have a decided edge when they face off in a marquee Tuesday night encounter in Florida. The Heat own one of the best home-court records in the NBA at 21-2 and are coming off a convincing win over rival Orlando on Monday. The Celtics, meanwhile, will have to make due without two of their most important players.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Heat get a slight nod from the oddsmakers despite having played a night earlier; of course, having played both games at home doesn’t hurt, especially when you’ve been as dominant on friendly territory as Miami has this season. But the Celtics have won each of the previous four meetings between the teams, and have the benefit of an extra day of rest after dropping a 123-108 decision to the host New Orleans Pelicans in their previous game Sunday.
If you like the home side to control the tempo in this one, you might be inclined to take the Over. Not only has Miami gone 8-2 O/U in its previous 10 games, it is a sizzling 17-8-1 to the Over in 26 games against Eastern Conference opponents so far this season. But the teams have played more than their share of low-scoring affairs against one another, coming in at 215 or fewer total points in each of their last eight head-to-head encounters.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics would love to wrap up their three-game road trip on a winning note after defeating Orlando and falling to New Orleans – but they’ll have to do it without center Enes Kanter, who is out with a hip injury, and forward Jayson Tatum, who is listed as doubtful with a groin injury. The absence of Tatum is of particular concern for the Celtics; the 21-year-old averages 17.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting nearly 46 percent from 3-point range vs. the Heat.
Miami Heat
Is Bam going to the All-Star Game? That’s the burning question on South Beach, as popular Heat centre Bam Adebayo continues to make a compelling argument to be one of the Eastern Conference reserves. Adebayo erupted for 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Monday’s triumph over the Magic, and comes into Tuesday’s encounter with averages of 16.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He’s also shooting a sizzling 58.8 percent from the field.
Who Will Win Celtics vs. Heat?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Romeo Langford (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Tremont Waters (PG)
Javonte Green (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Langford (SG) | out for season | Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 | 2-3 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Tues | Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone. |
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| Tremont Waters (PG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors. |
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| Javonte Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 | 9-6 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Wed | Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 | 10-6 | 6-10 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion. |
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| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Wed | Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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| Romeo Langford (SG) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 6-12 | + - |
|
Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 04 / 10 / 20 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Vincent has a sore right knee, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 01 / 10 / 20 | 5-1 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Dragic suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. It is expected that he will be available for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Lakers. |
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| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 22 / 09 / 20 | 6-3 | 6-3 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a sore right knee, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 18 / 09 / 20 | 7-3 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with back spasms, but is likely to take on the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
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| Kelly Olynyk (PF) | Prob Tues | Knee - 07 / 09 / 20 | 9-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Olynyk has a right knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Jae Crowder (SF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 | 9-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Crowder is nursing a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Kelly Olynyk (PF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 03 / 09 / 20 | 11-4 | 9-6 | + - |
|
Olynyk is dealing with a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20 | 12-4 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Iguodala is battling a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take on the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Jae Crowder (SF) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20 | 13-4 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Crowder is managing a left ankle injury but is projected to suit up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks. |
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| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20 | 14-4 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. is heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers with an uncertain status due to a sprained left ankle. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
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Injuries
Romeo Langford (SG)
out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20Tremont Waters (PG)
Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20Javonte Green (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20Gordon Hayward (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 04 / 10 / 20Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Foot - 01 / 10 / 20Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 22 / 09 / 20Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 18 / 09 / 20Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Prob Tues Knee - 07 / 09 / 20Jae Crowder (SF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 09 / 20Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Fri Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20Jae Crowder (SF)
Prob Mon Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Mon Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Romeo Langford (SG) out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 2-3 4-1 + - Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone.
Tremont Waters (PG) Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors.
Javonte Green (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 9-6 6-9 + - Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 10-6 6-10 + - Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Romeo Langford (SG) Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 11-7 6-12 + - Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 04 / 10 / 20 4-0 2-2 + - Vincent has a sore right knee, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Foot - 01 / 10 / 20 5-1 3-3 + - Dragic suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. It is expected that he will be available for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Lakers.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 22 / 09 / 20 6-3 6-3 + - Vincent is battling a sore right knee, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Sat Back - 18 / 09 / 20 7-3 6-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with back spasms, but is likely to take on the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kelly Olynyk (PF) Prob Tues Knee - 07 / 09 / 20 9-4 8-5 + - Olynyk has a right knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Jae Crowder (SF) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 9-4 8-5 + - Crowder is nursing a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Kelly Olynyk (PF) Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 09 / 20 11-4 9-6 + - Olynyk is dealing with a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Fri Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20 12-4 9-7 + - Iguodala is battling a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take on the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Jae Crowder (SF) Prob Mon Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20 13-4 9-8 + - Crowder is managing a left ankle injury but is projected to suit up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Mon Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20 14-4 10-8 + - Jones Jr. is heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers with an uncertain status due to a sprained left ankle.