The Boston Celtics will try to build a new win streak when they visit the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade Arena on Tuesday night.
The Celtics were upset 113-98 by the Orlando Magic on Monday, bringing a nine-game win streak to a halt. The Heat have rounded into form after a slow start to the season, winning eight of their last 12 overall.
Will NBA-best Boston be handed another loss in the Sunshine State? Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Celtics vs Heat on Tuesday, January 24.
Celtics vs Heat best odds
Celtics vs Heat picks and predictions
The Boston Celtics could find themselves undermanned once more on Tuesday night. Robert Williams III (knee), Marcus Smart (ankle), and Malcolm Brogdon (personal) are all in danger of missing their second straight game.
The injury to Williams is particularly harmful to Boston on the floor, as it would be his job to guard the Miami Heat’s sensational center Bam Adebayo. Whether “Time Lord” plays at less than 100% or not at all, I like Adebayo to stuff the stat sheet tonight.
Bam Adebayo needs to get to 34 combined points, rebounds, and assists to clear this popular prop tonight, and he’s averaging a combined 35.2 in those three areas this month. In December, he was at 35.9 combined, so there’s nothing fluky going on with him.
The Kentucky product has scored at least 18 points in 15 of his last 16 games, reaching the 20-point plateau in 12 of those contests. He’s bottomed out at seven rebounds in that same span but has gathered eight or more in all but two of his last 16 efforts. Adebayo has double-digit boards in 10 of those tilts.
Assists are not really Adebayo’s forte, so there’s not much of a premium to pay compared to his points + rebounds prop. But he’s averaging three helpers a night this year and has had as many as six three times this season.
In three prior meetings with the Celtics this year, Adebayo is averaging 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He got to the 34 points + rebounds + assists threshold in two of those three contests, including his 28/7/3 night in their last matchup on December 2.
My best bet: Bam Adebayo Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)
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Celtics vs Heat spread analysis
The Celtics still hold the best record in the NBA at 35-13 despite their loss on Monday night. They may be shorthanded as they play their second contest in as many evenings, but should they really be underdogs to the Heat?
Boston is an incredible 7-0 SU in the latter half of a back-to-back this season and 5-1-1 ATS. It’s one of many reasons why first-year head coach Joe Mazzulla is the frontrunner for Coach of the Year honors.
Jayson Tatum has been the driving force behind the Celtics’ offense all year, and he’s been remarkable in these situations, reaching at least 40 points in three of the five second halves of back-to-backs he’s participated in. Tatum is also averaging 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in three games against the Heat this season.
Jaylen Brown has been almost as good against Miami as Tatum in three matchups this year, averaging 30.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Heat and have covered in each of their last four road games in this rivalry.
Celtics vs Heat Over/Under analysis
The Heat are no strangers to low totals like 218 being posted on their games this year, as they’re dead-last in points per game (108.6), and second-best in opponent points per game (108.4). But this is an unusually low number for a game involving the Celtics, which makes this a tough call.
Under bettors may have a slight edge if Williams, Smart, and Brogdon all don’t suit up, as Boston will be hard-pressed to find secondary scoring for the second straight evening. Being held to 98 points by the Magic last night was among the few lowlights for the Celtics this season.
The Over is 2-1 in the first three games these clubs have played this year, but overtime was required to get their latest matchup above the total.
Trend bettors should note that the Under is 11-2 in the Celtics’ last 13 road games against teams with winning home records, and 8-3 in the Heat’s last 11 overall.
Celtics vs Heat betting trend to know
The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams in Miami. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Heat.
Celtics vs Heat game info
| Location: | Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, FL |
| Date: | Tuesday, January 24, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
