Game: Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Heat +8, Celtics -8
Total: 217
For the first time since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Boston Celtics take on the Miami Heat in their home opener on Friday night. Following four evenly matched regular-season games in 2022–23, Miami prevailed in the seven-game playoff series to make its seventh NBA Finals appearance.
Both teams won their first games of the season. Boston defeated the Knicks 108-104 in New York thanks to Kristaps Porzingis’ 30 points, the most in a Celtics debut ever. He hit a crucial 3-pointer to end a late, 9-0 run. The 7-foot-3 Porzingis hit five 3-pointers (5-for-9) and had four blocked shots in his debut game with Boston.
In his first game back after joining the team from the Portland Trail Blazers, five-time All-Defensive Team selection Jrue Holiday finished with nine points, four rebounds, and three blocks. Holiday was originally traded to Portland in exchange for Damian Lillard, who was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, The Celtics will focus on extending their winning record at home, where they finished 32-9 for the second straight season.
Jimmy Butler (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Kevin Love (13 points, 10 rebounds) both had double-doubles to help Miami win an even closer first game. The Heat defeated Detroit 103-102 behind Bam Adebayo’s 22 points. With 9:07 remaining, the Heat led by 19 points and were able to escape after Detroit missed four consecutive chances to take the lead in the last 1:04.
Miami has done well in close games. Throughout the regular season last year, the Heat were 14-8 in games decided by three points or fewer, and they also won two more of these games in the postseason.
In Miami’s season opener, Butler and Love became the seventh teammates in franchise history to record a double-double. Butler grabbed eight offensive rebounds, which was a career-high.
The Heat start a three-game road trip this Friday. They travel to Milwaukee on Monday and Minnesota on Saturday. Before that they will try and continue their recent dominance of the Celtics. Miami has beaten Boston in six of the last nine head-to-head meetings. Miami has also been strong against the number in those games, going 7-2 ATS in the last nine against the Celtics.
Boston plays well at home. They are 12-6 SU in their last 18 home games. They have had some issues against the Heat at home. Boston is just 1-4 ATS in the last five against Miami at TD Garden. Going back to last season, the Celtics are 4-1 SU in their last five games with three of the wins coming against the Heat.
When the Heat and the Celtics get together, it’s usually a low-scoring battle. That is reflected with tonight’s game total set at 217. In their last three games, these two teams have averaged just 200.33 points per game. The Under has cashed in nine of Miami’s last ten games and in each of Boston’s last five.
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