The Boston Celtics return home after sweeping their two-game Texas road trip. They’ve now won four games in a row and are looking to make it five against the Miami Heat on Friday night.
The Celtics are now 7-2 in their last nine games, while the Heat have alternated losses and wins since ending a road trip with two victories.
Boston could see trade deadline addition NIkola Vucevic make his Celtics debut tonight at home.
The Celtics already beat the Heat twice this season, 129-116 at home and 119-114 on the road.
The oddsmakers have the Celtics as home favorites at the best betting sites on Friday night.
Let’s take a look at the odds, players to watch and my prediction for Friday night’s NBA matchup.
Heat vs. Celtics Odds, Spread and Total
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread
Heat +5.5 (-105)Celtics -5.5 (-115)
Moneyline
Total
227.5 (Over -108/Under -112)Heat vs. Celtics How to WatchDate: Friday, Feb. 6Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: TD GardenHow to Watch (TV): FDSN SU, NBCSBHeat record: 27-25Celtics record: 33-18Heat vs. Celtics Injury ReportsHeat Injury ReportTyler Herro – outKasparas Jakucionis – availableJaime Jaquez Jr. – availableNikola Jovic – availablePelle Larsson – availableDavion Mitchell – availableTerry Rozier – outDru Smith – availableAndrew Wiggins – availableCeltics Injury ReportJosh Minott – outMax Shulga – outJayson Tatum – outXavier Tillman – outJohn Tonje – outHeat vs. Celtics Best NBA Prop Bets
Heat Best NBA Prop Bet
Pelle Larsson OVER 17.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-116)
Pelle Larsson takes on a bigger role in the Heat offense with Tyler Herro out. In his 31 games as a starter, he’s averaging 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
The guard has been particularly impressive in his last nine games, averaging 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He’s had at least 18 PRA in all but one of those games, and easily flew over this 17.5 number with 24 or more PRA in his last four contests.
The Celtics will be a tough test for Larsson and the Heat, but this number is low enough that I’m confident that he’ll be able to get there anyway.
Heat vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick
The Celtics are hot, and the Heat are not right now, and this -5.5 spread isn’t big enough for me to shy away from taking the home side.
Boston has a point differential of 443-365 during their four-game winning streak, and the Heat haven’t kept any of its recent losses within five points.
The C’s already beat the Heat twice this season, and I don’t see that changing tonight at TD Garden.
Pick: Celtics -5.5 (-115)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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