NBA Basketball Matchup: Celtics vs Heat
The Boston Celtics are looking to finish strong. They have won their last two games by 14 and 24 points and 7 of their last 9.
Boston Celtics (32-24) vs Miami Heat (40-15)
Tuesday April 10
American Airlines Arena – Miami, FL
7:00PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: Miami -7.5
O/U: 183
Boston
They squared off with the Heat a little more than a week ago in Boston and handled them easily winning by 19 points. That victory got the attention of the league that this team is still one to be reckoned with. The problem is that when they are away from the new Garden this team isn’t nearly as good.
In that beatdown against Miami the Celtics were all over the Heat defensively. Since the team has found roles for young players Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass this team has a new found energy. The duo scored 18 points each in their recent win against Philadelphia and if they don’t shrink in the spotlight they could be the reason this team exceeds expectations from here on out. Lets also not forget this team has stars in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo too. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Miami
For a team that is supposed to be good why do the Miami Heat get blown out so much. This team has only 15 total losses on the season but nearly half of them (7) have been by 10 more points. Sometimes it appears that they just give up in certain games and I just don’t like seeing that in a supposed championship contender. Four of those losses have been in the last 10 games and they are looking to avenge the one against Boston Tuesday night at home where they are 24-3.
In the loss to the Celtics the Heat shot absolutely horribly. Chris Bosh, Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers were a combined 5 for 26 and even Dwayne Wade was a less than stellar 6 for 17. Uglier stlll this team shot 7 for 17 from the free throw line. NBA teams are not supposed to do that. They are sure to come with a more respectable effort against Boston this time around. The Wade and Lebron James love to have their manhead tested and will most likely respond.
Spread Pick: Boston +8.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Miami 89 – Boston 84
