The NBA’s nine-game slate on Wednesday is highlighted by a double-header on ESPN that begins with the Boston Celtics visiting the Miami Heat. It could be a preview of the first round of the first round in the Eastern Conference, as Boston is the No. 1 seed.
Let’s get into my Celtics vs. The heat.
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 an interesting variation in styles that includes the fastest team in the entire organization and the slowest overall. 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 usually the one that can dictate the tempo – and there’s no arguing with the fact that Boston is the superior side in this case.
In addition, the Celtics are incredibly inconsistent on the defensive end of the floor. They have a limit of 10 direct opponents to not exceed 112 points. During this period, five competitors 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 with a toe injury.
The under is 5-1 in the Celtics last six games and 7-3 in the last 10 head to head games. The latest H2H rating resulted in a narrow score of 98-96.
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 most three-pointers in the last three contests (16.3). Unsurprisingly, Pritchard went 4-for-6 in the land of plenty when Boston beat Miami last month.
This season, Pritchard is averaging 17.0 ppg; in the last three games he poured in 26.7 ppg. The Oregon product has surpassed this 2.5 rating in six of his last eight outings, sinking at least three three-pointers in four of those times. Pritchard went 4-for-6 from downtown on Monday against Atlanta despite logging just 26 minutes in the second leg of a back-to-back situation. He has averaged 35 minutes in the last three tournaments and can expect another tough task in this one.
