NBA Basketball Matchup: Miami vs Boston
With just a couple of games left it is getting difficult to call some of these games – you just don’t know who is going to be on the court.
Heat (46-18) vs Celtics (37-27)
Tuesday April 24
TD Bank Gardens – Boston, MA
8:00PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: Boston -5
O/U: 160
Miami
Miami can still technically catch the Bulls and earn the top spot in the Eastern Conference but it appears they think it would come at too high of a price. Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade may have legitimate injuries but it has been presumed that the Heat will also give LeBron James a little rest heading into the playoffs. Who else is left?
Norris Cole and Mike Miller, that’s who. The Heat have been hoping Miller, who can be a dangerous shooter, would round in form and now he should be able to maybe do so.
He has scored in double figures in three of the last four and even had a double-double a couple of games back. Miller is a nice to have but Cole might be more urgent if Mario Chalmers isn’t healthy. Cole can be an effective scorer but the rookie has been too inconsistent.
A couple of featured games wouldn’t be all that bad for him.
Boston
Boston is in a similar position with their playoff positioning already assured. They have clinched the Atlantic Division now so even though Atlanta might finish with a better overall record the Celtics will get to host round one of the playoffs. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
They too have been using that to their advantage by resting key players while hoping to guards Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo will be recovered enough to answer the bell when the playoffs begin.
The best development for the Celtics down the stretch has been the play of guard Avery Bradley.
The second year player out of Texas could always play solid D but now he is proving he can score. Last game he scored a season high 28 points against Atlanta and has scored more than 15 points in 6 straight. Don’t expect to see Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett in this one.
Despite the marquee matchup there is nothing to prove. Would love to see these teams square off in round 2.
Spread Pick: Boston -5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Boston 90 – Miami 80
