The Boston Celtics (50-25) and Miami Heat (40-36) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Celtics are 4.5-point favorites over the Heat on the spread (Celtics -4.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Boston is a -198 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Miami is +164 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Celtics vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 1.
Celtics vs Heat Prediction, Pick
- Celtics vs Heat picks: Larsson 12+ Points / Pritchard 15+ Points / Queta 10+ Rebounds (+480)
My Heat vs. Celtics best bet is a same game parlay combining three player props for a payout of +480. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Celtics vs Heat Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -118 | 228.5 -108o / -112u | -198 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -102 | 228.5 -108o / -112u | +164 |
Celtics vs Heat NBA Preview
Oh look, it's the NBA's best rivalry of the last 20 years. Now, tonight may not be a reflection of that, nor is it the case this season, given the difference in quality — but generally, these two teams are competitive and will play tight games on national broadcasts, just like tonight.
The Celtics are attempting to lock up the 2-seed. They are 4.5 games behind the Pistons for 1-seed, but 2.5 games ahead of the third-seeded Knicks.
Meanwhile, the Heat are dying to get out of the Play-In (again), where they will head for a fourth straight year if they don't put together a special run to end the season.
The Heat are tied with the Hornets for ninth place — with a tiebreaker in their favor — and they are 2.5 games behind the Raptors, who are positioned sixth.
Nikola Vucevic (finger) hasn't played since early March, and Ron Harper Jr. (ankle) is questionable for Boston.
Norman Powell (illness) missed the Heat's back-to-back from Sunday to Monday, and Andrew Wiggins (toe) is questionable.
It's April — you know where Terry Rozier is.
Celtics vs Heat Predictions, Betting Analysis
It's role player parlay time. I don't do a ton of parlays, but I don't love any one specific prop straight-up — and I see solid floors for a few different players in this game.
Pelle Larsson 12+ Points
Pelle Larsson is averaging 31 minutes per game over his last 14 games. He's scored at least 12, 13 or 14 points in eight of those games — and the Heat might be without Powell again in this spot.
Payton Pritchard 15+ Points
Payton Pritchard has scored 15+ points in six of his last eight games, and finished with 24 against the Heat in February.
His previous performance came before Tatum's return — but keep in mind, aside from their game against the 76ers, Miami's defense is cracking (and not like we're talkin' on the block), and the cracks in the Heat's defense are at the point where they have allowed 120+ points in eight of their last 11 games, with much of that due to the unsteady play of their bench.
Neemias Queta 10+ Rebounds
Neemias Queta has recorded totals of nine and 11 boards against Miami this year — and in terms of recent form, he's reached double-figures in 10 of his last 18; and eight of his last 14.
Foul trouble is a bit of a concern, but with Kel'el Ware's minutes going down again, I like this spot for Queta.
Celtics vs Heat Parlay Picks
- Pelle Larsson 12+ Points
- Payton Pritchard 15+ Points
- Neemias Queta 10+ Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +480
Heat vs Celtics Betting Trends
