There aren’t many matchups in the NBA that get as juicy as when the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics take to the hardwood floor. Close calls in the regular season year after year and extremely familiar postseason foes, there is plenty to get excited about. Both are coming off opening wins, as the Heat took out the Pistons and the Celtics overcame the Knicks.

Check the NBA odds as they develop.

Heat vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

The story of the Heat vs. Celtics rivalry is virtually in “legendary” territory at this stage. Everything from the LeBron Game 6 performance in 2012, the multiple, highly engaging regular season matchups, to the fact that three times in four years each side has represented the East in the NBA Finals by way of defeating the other in the conference finals. There is no shortage of excitement when Miami and Boston lock heads.

What’s most recent in fans’ memories is last year’s Eastern Conference finals which went 7 games in the most beguiling way imaginable. Miami raced out to a 3-0 series lead, then relinquished said advantage – which included a wild Game 6 finish – only to win Game 7 at TD Garden in Boston, a match Jayson Tatum had to exit seconds in due to an injury.

The Heat have covered the spread a lot more than the Celtics in these matchups, accomplishing the feat seven times in the last 10 opportunities. As for the over-under, it’s all even at 5-5 during that span.

Miami Heat

With only one game played on the calendar, it’s tricky to discern what should be made of Miami’s 103-102 home opening win against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The Pistons have been one of the worst teams in the league for several years, so was this a sign that they’ve improved? Did Miami take them for granted? Who’s to say?

In any event, there were a lot of positives to take away from this game. Miami continues to be a good team when driving to the basket. Getting to the line 26 times and hitting 21 free throw shots is definitely one way for a club to put itself in a position to win a game. The three-point shooting continues to be average (36.4 per cent). What surely took a few Heat fans by surprise was how they allowed Detroit to get back in the game despite leading by 14 points with less than five minutes to play. Suddenly they couldn’t get a shot or a stop. First round draftee Jaime Marquez Jr. got 13 minutes of playing time and looked good, but it was the usual suspects who caused most of the damage: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kevin Lowry.

Boston Celtics

There is a slight irony to the fact that Miami, Boston’s next opponent, is billed as a great rival when the Celtics just opened their season with a win over the New York Knicks. Not that there isn’t some love lost between these sides, but it’s not like on the gridiron or baseball field.

Sometimes one can tell how much coaching has to do with a style of play over a long period of games. Much like last season, Boston came out swinging, grabbing a 30-18 first-quarter lead, and led for most of the night until the Knicks found their groove and took command in the fourth quarter. Another late effort was required to make up for some lackadaisical second-half basketball.

It’s easy to point to Jayson Tatum’s 34-point night because that’s just what he does, but new signing Kristaps Porzingis endeared himself to the Celtics faithful with 30 points of his own. He won’t do that on a nightly basis but it’s a heck of a way to start one’s Celtics career. Jrue Holiday made his Boston debut as well, although put in a more muted performance (since points,+3). Make the final 108-104 for Boston.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Heat vs. Celtics?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Heat Team Leaders

MIA

Points	Tyler Herro 20.83
Assists	Jimmy Butler 4.97
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 10.38
FG%	Thomas Bryant 57.7
Steals	Delon Wright 1.36
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.93

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 26.85
Assists	Derrick White 5.16
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.12
FG%	Luke Kornet 70
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.19
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.95

MIA

Points	Bam Adebayo 22.6
Assists	Tyler Herro 5.4
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.4
FG%	Thomas Bryant 71.4
Steals	Delon Wright 1
Blocks	Nikola Jovic 0.6

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25
Assists	Jayson Tatum 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.68
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.21
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.57

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Celtics Team Leaders

MIA

Points	Tyler Herro 20.83
Assists	Jimmy Butler 4.97
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 10.38
FG%	Thomas Bryant 57.7
Steals	Delon Wright 1.36
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.93

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 26.85
Assists	Derrick White 5.16
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.12
FG%	Luke Kornet 70
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.19
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.95

MIA

Points	Bam Adebayo 22.6
Assists	Tyler Herro 5.4
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.4
FG%	Thomas Bryant 71.4
Steals	Delon Wright 1
Blocks	Nikola Jovic 0.6

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25
Assists	Jayson Tatum 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.68
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.21
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.57

Injuries

Miami

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Sat Arm - 26 / 04 / 24

Delon Wright (PG)

Prob Mon Personal - 26 / 04 / 24

Nikola Jovic (SF)

Prob Wed Back - 24 / 04 / 24

Haywood Highsmith (SF)

Prob Wed Arm - 23 / 04 / 24

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Wed Arm - 23 / 04 / 24

Duncan Robinson (SF)

Prob Wed Back - 23 / 04 / 24

Duncan Robinson (SF)

Prob Sun Spine - 20 / 04 / 24

Jimmy Butler (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 18 / 04 / 24

Duncan Robinson (SF)

Prob Fri Spine - 18 / 04 / 24

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Wed Arm - 14 / 04 / 24

Boston

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24

Xavier Tillman (PF)

Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24

Al Horford (C)

Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24

Injuries

Miami

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Sat	Arm - 26 / 04 / 24	1-2	1-2	+ -
Love is tending to a left arm contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Celtics.
Delon Wright (PG)	Prob Mon	Personal - 26 / 04 / 24	1-2	1-2	+ -
Wright is dealing with a personal matter, but it is predicted that he will face the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Nikola Jovic (SF)	Prob Wed	Back - 24 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Jovic is dealing with a back injury, but it is anticipated that he will not suit up for Wednesday's tilt versus the Celtics.
Haywood Highsmith (SF)	Prob Wed	Arm - 23 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Highsmith is tending to a left arm contusion, but it is anticipated that he will play against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Wed	Arm - 23 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Love has a left arm contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Duncan Robinson (SF)	Prob Wed	Back - 23 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Robinson is managing left facet syndrome, but it is likely that he will dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics.
Duncan Robinson (SF)	Prob Sun	Spine - 20 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Robinson is dealing with left facet syndrome, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 18 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Butler is shut down with an MCL sprain in his right knee, and he will miss an extended period.
Duncan Robinson (SF)	Prob Fri	Spine - 18 / 04 / 24	1-3	1-3	+ -
Robinson is battling left facet syndrome, but he is projected to take the court for Friday's clash versus the Bulls.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Wed	Arm - 14 / 04 / 24	2-4	3-3	+ -
Love is tending to an upper left arm contusion, but it is likely that he will be available for the Eastern Conference Play-in tournament versus the 76ers.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Mon	Leg - 11 / 06 / 24	1-1	0-3	+ -
Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Luke Kornet (C)	Ques Thurs	Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24	2-2	0-5	+ -
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 26 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Sun	Illness - 25 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Mon	Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Xavier Tillman (PF)	Ques Sat	Personal - 20 / 05 / 24	3-5	4-5	+ -
Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Mon	Calf - 12 / 05 / 24	4-7	5-7	+ -
Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Thur	Calf - 29 / 04 / 24	8-7	7-9	+ -
Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Sat	Calf - 20 / 04 / 24	9-8	9-10	+ -
Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Sun	Toe - 12 / 04 / 24	10-9	11-10	+ -
Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.