basketball | Friday, October 21, 2022 11:11 AM (Revised at: Friday, October 21, 2022 1:03 PM)

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Best Bet: Back Boston to Cover

Sam Cox

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Best Bet: Friday, October 21st

A repeat of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals takes place in Miami on Friday night. Boston comes into this game after an impressive win over the Philadelphia 76ers to start their season, while the Heat are looking to bounce back after a limp performance in their loss to the depleted Chicago Bulls. The Celtics are narrow underdogs for this game, with the home team favoured by a couple of points.

Miami is without Omer Yurtseven and Victor Oladipo. Boston is not going to have Robert Williams III available for several weeks, while Danilo Gallinari is almost certainly out for the year.

In this article:

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Preview
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Best Bet

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Preview

Sat, Oct 22. 00:40 (UK time)

Battered and bruised, the Heat took the Celtics to seven games in the Conference Finals earlier this year. Jimmy Butler was spectacular, nearly stealing the series at the death. Boston’s superior talent and depth proved to be the difference, however, and their megastar wing duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown started the season in stellar fashion, combining for 70 points in the opener.

The Heat didn’t exactly impress against Chicago. Bam Adebayo made just five of his 15 field goal attempts. Kyle Lowry scored only two points. The defence had no answer for DeMar DeRozan, who scored 37. There was scepticism about Miami coming into this season with the loss of P.J. Tucker, and Butler and Lowry trying to stave off decline. Where Boston’s key players are ascending, the Heat are simply trying to stay healthy for the postseason.

Boston took four of seven in the playoffs, of course, and won two of three when they faced Miami in the regular year. Miami covered more often than not against the spread at home last season, but it is worth noting that the Celtics were a dominant 18-7 against the spread as road favourites.

Prior to their run to the Finals, the Celtics were a regular season juggernaut in 2022. The uncertainty following Ime Udoka’s suspension looms, and it remains to be seen how Joe Mazzulla copes as head coach, but this team was nigh-on unstoppable after the All-Star break, posting a +12.7 net rating.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Best Bet

Naturally, there isn’t much to go on at this stage of the season. Only so much can be read into one game. Boston, though, are a team which has improved over the summer, with development from their stars and the addition of Malcolm Brogdon. Miami, meanwhile, is at risk of decline.

It never feels great going against Erik Spoelstra’s team, such is their knack for grinding out regular season wins, but this spread feels a bit harsh on the Celtics.