The series basketball fans have been waiting for tips off today, as LeBron James and the Miami Heat battle Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics.
Boston was 3-1 versus the Heat this season, but the last time they met up on April 10 Miami crushed the Celtics 100-77 as a 6-point home favorite. James led Miami with 27 points, while Paul Pierce had 24 points for Boston.
View Boston vs Miami Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back the visiting Celtics before tip-off in this one will find them as 4.5-point underdogs, while the total sits at 182.5.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Heat, currently No. 3 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the Celtics, who rate No. 12 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 104-101 victory for the Heat.
How They Match Up:
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Miami's No. 9-rated squad against Boston's No. 29-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Miami rates No. 11 in the league with 6.7 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 26 with 5 per outing.
Defensively, the Celtics feature the league's No. 1-rated defense on the road, allowing 90.9 points per game. Miami, meanwhile, comes in at No. 10 in the league in scoring at home.
In their last action, Boston was a 101-89 Sportsbook on the road against the Knicks. They covered the 3.5–point spread as favorites, while the combined score (190) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Kevin Garnett scored 26 points and chipped in with 10 rebounds for Boston on Sunday, leading the Celtics to a 101-89 victory over New York at Madison Square Garden.
The Heat were a 97-91 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the 76ers. They failed to cover the 11-point spread as favorites, while the total score (188) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 6-4
After playing New York are 8-2
After a win are 5-5
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
A few Celtics at Heat trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Miami is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Next up:
Boston at Miami, Tuesday, May 3
Miami home to Boston, Tuesday, May 3
