The Boston Celtics can seal a series victory over the Miami Heat on Friday, December 2, when the two teams battle for their third of four matchups during the 2022-23 season — just as they did this past May in their Eastern Conference finals seven-game triumph.
Most recently, these two teams met this past Wednesday in a spread-covering 134-121 win for the Cs, led by (no surprise here) Jayson Tatum and his 49-point, 11-rebound double-double against a Heat team missing their lead star, Jimmy Butler.
Butler was initially pegged to return for both games against Boston, but his delayed return still comes at an important time for Miami. The Heat are currently not in a position to even make the NBA Play-in game with a 10-12 record.
In Butler’s absence, Bam Adebayo has become a legitimate No. 1 option in the Heat offense, while role players like Caleb Martin, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Haywood Highsmith have helped bring the team wins without their 4x All-NBAer.
Can the supporting cast and Jimmy Buckets band together and bring the Heat a much-needed victory to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference? Or will the Cs continue to distance themselves from the rest of the league with their winning ways? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Sun, and NBA League Pass (all odds provided by WynnBET):
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat odds, spread
The Celtics are 7.5-point favorites against the Heat at home. Miami is a +265 road underdog while Boston’s ML is set at -320. The over/under for the game has been placed at 225.5 points.
Celtics vs. Heat prediction
It’s tough to tell if Jimmy Butler’s return will lead to a Heat win, but it stands within reason that it could keep things close. With that said, a close game between these two teams is likely a high-scoring affair.
The Houdini continues to ride the over train during this historic offensive season from the Cs.
Pick: 225.5o (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.