Celtics vs Heat NBA Odds & Expert Prediction

Celtics vs Heat NBA Odds & Expert Prediction

Written by on January 10, 2019

After posting their highest point total of the season the last time out, Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics will look to put the pedal to the metal when they hit the road to take on Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Thursday night. With the C’s looking to extend their winning ways and Miami looking to snap a modest losing streak, let’s find out where the best betting value lies in this Eastern Conference clash.

Celtics vs Heat NBA Odds & Expert Prediction

Why Bet On The Boston Celtics?

Why should you consider betting on Boston in this matchup? Well, Boston is playing well right now, having won four straight games and five of their last six games overall. As previously mentioned, Boston went off for a season-high in points in their emphatic 135-108 blowout win over Indiana on Wednesday night.

Marcus Morris and Jaylen Brown each scored a team-high 22 points while Jayson Tatum added 20 points and Gordon Hayward, 14 points off the bench. The Celtics shot a blistering 56 percent from the field in the win.

“He’s been in a good rhythm all year,” head coach Brad Stevens said of Morris. “He’s been very comfortable with what he was going to do best and how it fit in, whether it was starting or coming off the bench. He’s always been consistent. The most impressive thing is he did it with eight shots.”

All-star point guard Kyrie Irving pointed to a Dec. 21 loss to Milwaukee as the turning point for the C’s recently.

“At that point, playing against Milwaukee, we weren’t at rock bottom, but we needed to address some s— in this locker room. It’s just good to get stuff out in the air,” Irving said following Wednesday’s big win. “As grown men and guys that have expectations for themselves, it was good to hear guys talk about what they wanted for themselves and what they wanted for this team.”

Another great reason to back Boston is the fact that Miami has a losing home record this season at 9-12 when they play in South beach. Last but not least, the Celtics are the better statistical team at both ends of the floor and the only legitimate championship contender in this contest. The C’s are averaging 112.5 points per game (10th) while limiting their opponents to just 105.4 points per contest defensively to rank third in points allowed.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 112.47
  • Field Goals: 46.06%
  • Three Points: 36.78%
  • Free Throws: 80.13%
  • Rebounds: 45.28
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 105.35
  • Field Goals: 44.17%
  • Three Points: 32.98%
  • Free Throws: 75.08%
  • Rebounds: 45.30

Why Bet On the Miami Heat at +1?

Are the Heat a safe bet vs the Celtics on Thursday?

Why should you consider betting on Miami in this contest? Well, the best reason would be because Boston is playing on consecutive nights and could be a bit weary in the legs. Outside of that, the best reason to back the Heat would be because they’re desperate after dropping two straight and likely to put up a good effort against a visiting title contender.

Miami got smacked around by Denver 103-99 on Tuesday as Dion waiters scored a team-high 15 points after returning from a two-game absence while former Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk added 13 points in the loss.

“A healthy me, that’s all I can ask for,” Waiters told reporters after the loss. “I can just go out there and play. I don’t have to worry about anything.”

Miami is averaging a modest 106.3 points per game (25th) but are limiting the opposition to just 105.7 points per contest defensively to rank a stellar sixth in points allowed.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 106.31
  • Field Goals: 43.78%
  • Three Points: 35.21%
  • Free Throws: 69.36%
  • Rebounds: 47.23
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 105.74
  • Field Goals: 43.89%
  • Three Points: 35.73%
  • Free Throws: 76.17%
  • Rebounds: 44.97

Celtics vs Heat NBA Betting Trends

  • Boston is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Boston is 5-1 SU in the last 6 games
  • The total went OVER in 8 of Boston’s last 10 games
  • Miami is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
  • Miami is 8-4 SU in the last 12 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami’s last 8 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction for Celtics vs Heat

Okay NBA betting faithful, you’ve got a super-easy pick on your hands when it comes to this contest. I know Celtics are an uninspiring 1-5 ATS in their last six games playing on zero days rest, but the C’s are also a bankroll-boosting 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following an SU or ATS win and a blistering 25-9 ATS in their last 34 games against a team with a losing record.

On the flip side of the coin, while Miami has gone 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record, the Heat are also just 1-4 ATS in their last five games and 0-4 ATS when playing on one day’s rest. There’s a reason why a whopping 70 percent of public bettors are backing the Celtics in this one and it’s because Boston is clearly superior in every way!

NBA Betting Pick: Celtics 115 Heat 105