The Miami Heat head to Beantown tonight for an Eastern Conference affair with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
My Heat vs. Celtics predictions are eyeing Tatum to have a big game against a familiar foe on home court.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Monday, December 2.
Heat vs Celtics prediction
My best bet
Jayson Tatum Over 30.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
The Boston Celtics are rolling this season with a 16-4 record, and Jayson Tatum is certainly doing his part. The franchise cornerstone is averaging 29 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 38% from 3-point land.
Tatum just had a couple of huge outings, erupting for 35 points against the Chicago Bulls and then scoring another 33 on Sunday in a loss to the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers. The former Duke standout is playing efficient basketball.
In fact, Tatum has surpassed his total for tonight’s contest on 11 occasions in 2023-24. While he averaged just 24.7 PPG against the Miami Heat last season, Tatum is on a heater right now and the Heat defense isn’t playing great lately.
I’m expecting Tatum to ball out here and continue to prove why he’s one of the top players in the Association. Cash in the Over in points.
Heat vs Celtics same-game parlay
Jayson Tatum Over 30.5 points
Jimmy Butler Over 4.5 assists
Heat +10
Jimmy Butler isn’t having the most dominant campaign so far, averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 boards, and 4.8 dimes while draining 33.3% of his triples. But he is definitely one of the Heat’s top playmakers, and that’s been the case for years now.
Alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who are also averaging around five dimes per night, Butler continues to make everyone around him better. He’s hit the Over in assists in four of his last six appearances. Although I won’t guarantee Jimmy is going to have a standout scoring game, I do like the value in the Over in dimes.
The Celtics have won three straight against Miami, but the spread is a tad steep. It’s sitting at +10, and the Heat managed to cover in two of those matchups last season. Erik Spoelstra’s squad is 3-2-0 as an away ATS underdog in 2024-25.
Also, despite having a 9-9 record, Miami has lost by double digits just twice. Even when a contest has ended in defeat, the Heat tend to keep things relatively close. There’s no key players sidelined tonight either. Miami may not march into the Garden and grab a victory, but they will cover.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Heat vs Celtics odds
Heat vs Celtics live odds
Heat vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Miami +8 | Boston -8
- Moneyline: Miami +275 | Boston -350
- Over/Under: Over 225 | Under 225
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Heat vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Boston spread has grown considerably from an opening line of -8 to -10 as of Monday morning.
- The Celtics have an 8-12-0 against the spread record in 2024.
- The total has dropped a full five points from opening.
- The Under has cashed in four of the last six meetings.
Heat vs Celtics trend
The Celtics have only covered the 4Q spread in 20 of their last 56 games (-19.95 Units / -31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Celtics.
How to watch Heat vs Celtics
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Monday, 12-2-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN - Sun, NBCS-Boston |
Heat vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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