Boston Celtics at Miami Heat odds, picks and predictions

25/01/2024

May 27, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) fouls Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the fourth quarter during game six of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics (34-10) take on the Miami Heat (24-20) Thursday with tip-off from Kaseya Center set for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Celtics lead 1-0

The Celtics continue their road trip after taking down the Dallas Mavericks 119-110 Monday. They covered as 2.5-point favorites and have won 5 of 6. F Jayson Tatum shrugged off recent struggles with 39 points, 11 boards and 5 assists. He had averaged 20.8 points on 35.8% shooting the previous 4 games. The Celtics won the 1st matchup against Miami 119-111 Oct. 27.

The Heat laid an absolute egg with a 105-96 home loss to the injury-depleted Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night. We managed to cash 2 of 3 wagers as the Grizzlies covered a +9.5, and the Under 212.5 cruised. The Heat have dropped 4 straight games. F Jimmy Butler has been wildly inconsistent, and you have to wonder if the injuries he has battled are taking a toll this season. His last 6 games, he has scored: 8, 31, 16, 25, 15 and 15.

Celtics at Heat odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Celtics -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Heat +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -7.5 (-115) | Heat +7.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Celtics at Heat key injuries

Celtics

None

Heat

Not yet submitted

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Celtics at Heat and predictions

Prediction

Celtics 118, Heat 98

Moneyline

Boston should roll, and there’s no value in the ML here.

I know Tatum had a big game last time out, but his struggles before that were very real. The Heat are still solid defensively, and Butler can keep him in check. Tatum had 22 on 9-for-22 from the floor and 3-for-10 from 3-point land in the 1st meeting.

I’ll take JAYSON TATUM UNDER 26.5 POINTS (-125).

Against the spread

Miami barely covered as a 9-point dog in the 1st meeting, and it is really struggling. The Heat have averaged 96.8 points per game over the last 5. Unless they can keep the Celtics under 106, a number they’ve eclipsed in 7 of 10 games, Boston should cover.

Take the CELTICS -7.5 (-115).

Over/Under

The Heat are going to need to touch 100 for this Over to have a chance. And I don’t see it. The Heat are 2-8 O/U over the last 10, and Boston is 3-7.

Take the UNDER 224.5 (-115).

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This article originally appeared on USA Today Sportsbookwire: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat odds, picks and predictions