Celtics vs. Heat Prediction
Will the Boston Celtics be able to handle a quick turnaround when they hit the road to face the Miami Heat tonight at 7PM ET?
537 Boston Celtics vs. 538 Miami Heat
Thursday, January 10, 2019
7PM ET – American Airlines Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Celtics are the slight favorite on the road, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Heat. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 212 points. The public betting for this game currently has 85 percent going on the Celtics as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Celtics back on win streak
The Boston Celtics are on a four-game win streak following a 135-108 win over Indiana at home last night. The Celtics have also covered the spread in four straight games as well, but all four games were at home. Boston is 25-15 overall, 10-10 on the road, 22-18 against the spread and 25-15 with the over.
Boston has a very good defense that is allowing just 105.4 points per game while holding opponents to 44.2 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from the arc. Offensively, the Celtics are putting up 112.5 points per game while shooting 36.8 percent from 3-point land. Kyrie Irving is putting up 22.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game to lead the team while Jayson Tatum is adding 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Heat drop two straight
Miami is coming off a 103-99 loss at home to Denver on Tuesday for its second straight loss and third straight game without a cover. The Heat are 19-20 overall, 9-12 at home, 21-18 against the spread and 21-18 with the over.
The Heat are pretty solid on defense as well this year, allowing just 105.7 points per game while opponents shoot 43.9 percent from the field. Offensively, Miami has struggled to find its stride. The Heat average just 106.3 points per game while shooting only 43.8 percent. The team is without Goran Dragic until February due to a knee injury. He was averaging 15.3 points per game this season. Josh Richardson is leading the team this season with 18.1 points per game while Hassan Whiteside is adding 12.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics have covered the spread in 11 of their last 14 games following a win, but just 1-5 ATS in their last six games on no days of rest.
Miami
Miami is 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games against a winning team and 5-2 ATS in their last seven conference games.
Prediction:
Boston is making a quick shift from playing at home to going all the way to Miami. The Celtics are just 8-12 against the spread on the road this season and they have struggled on back-to-backs. Miami has a little rest after a close call with Denver and I think the Heat will have the fresh legs to win this game. The Heat can match Boston defensively and I think their fresh legs will show in the second half of the game as they pull away from the Celtics.
NBA Prediction: Miami Heat +2.5