Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Predictions, Betting Odds & Picks

• The Boston Celtics are coming off of a late-game victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
• The Miami Heat lost their previous match, a nail-biter against the Toronto Raptors.
• In two games against each other this season, the Miami Heat are yet to claim a victory.

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Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Odds

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Celtics vs Heat Predictions and Picks

Picks:

This is a crucial game for these teams as just 2.5 games separate the two in the standings. With Jayson Tatum’s return to form, and the Heat’s shooting struggles, we’re backing the Celtics in this matchup. Two defensive sides come together in this matchup. Both are allowing sub-110 points per game this season.

Boston Celtics defeat Miami Heat -161

Under 223.5 -110

How to Watch Celtics vs Heat

Boston Celtics (Away) Stats and Preview

The Boston Celtics are about where you’d expect them to be upon the NBA season’s return. They weren’t able to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks, but they took the Portland Trail Blazers to the edge in a close victory last time out.

The Celtics are known for their suffocating defensive ability, able to challenge shots inside and out, while also forcing a number of turnovers. Underrated defenders like Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis always keep opponents within punching range.

They’ll have their hands full with a Miami Heat team that exudes efficiency. While the Heat is near the bottom third of the league in turnovers per game, the Celtics will have to get out on the league’s most efficient three-point shooting team.

Boston Celtics Roster Notes

No roster changes of note.

Miami Heat (Home) Stats and Preview

The Miami Heat have split their first two games since the NBA’s return. After blowing out the Denver Nuggets in their first match, they lost a tight match to the reigning champion Toronto Raptors.

The Heat will have their hands full as they take on one of the East’s best in the Boston Celtics, on top of it being a back-to-back. Their shooting wasn’t up to their standards against the Raptors, so they’ll have to sort out that issue if they want to beat the Celtics.

Miami committed two late games, match-defining turnovers in their recent loss to the Toronto Raptors. While they’re expected to get their shooting back on track, they’ll need to be able to execute in tight situations against a well-drilled Celtics team.

Miami Heat Roster Notes

(C) Bam Adebayo – 2 Aug 2020 – Day-to-Day (Quad) Adebayo was listed as probable for the Heat’s Monday match against Toronto.

(G) Goran Dragic – 2 Aug 2020 – Day-to-Day (Back) Dragic was listed as probable for the Heat’s Monday match against Toronto.

What’s At Stake?

A win for the Boston Celtics would bring them within three games of the second-place Toronto Raptors.

A win for the Miami Heat would bring them within one game of taking the third seed from the Boston Celtics.

This is a one-sided historical series, as the Boston Celtics lead the Miami Heat 75-47 over 122 games played.

Where is the Consistency from Tatum?

The real Jayson Tatum is back ? pic.twitter.com/nzXzAMydOP

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 2, 2020

Jayson Tatum is arguably the Boston Celtics’ biggest star. However, despite his relative youth and inexperience, you could say the Celtics are lacking a true star entirely. He struggled in his first game against the Milwaukee Bucks, but caught fire in a recent victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. While the Celtics have decent auxiliary options, Tatum’s offence is what drives their success.

While it’s just been two games, you could call Tatum’s return to the NBA season as turbulent. He was 2-18 against the Bucks, but 11-22 against the Trail Blazers – who own the league’s 27th ranked defence. He’ll get a step up in competition against the Miami Heat, who own a 12th ranked defence that has held him to 19.0 points per game on 31.6% shooting from the field in two Celtics victories.

Miami’s Depth is Coming Through

Goran Dragic beats the 3Q ?!@MiamiHEAT keeping it close on NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/aGSJTdxvRM

— NBA (@NBA) August 3, 2020

The Miami Heat are powered by the performance of their two stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. However in their last game against the Toronto Raptors, their reserves helped keep them in the game. While starters Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson struggled, Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, and Kelly Olynyk were massive in their contributions.

Despite shooting only 31.1% from deep on the game, the Heat bench accounted for nine of their 13 three-point field goals. They also scored 56 of the team’s 103 points in the game. Should they get off to another slow start, head coach Erick Spoelstra will be confident in calling on his reserves.