The Miami Heat (9-9) travel to face off against the Boston Celtics (16-4) on Monday, December 2nd. This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and televised on NBCS. Both the Heat and Celtics will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 ET.

Heat vs Celtics

The Heat Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Miami fell to 9-9 on the season after a 119-116 road loss to the Raptors on Sunday. The Heat, who were favored by 5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 235 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 221.5 by 13.5 points.

A 10-0 run by the Raptors early on put Miami in a tough spot, as Toronto stretched the score from 22-17 to 32-17. The Heat fought back, winning the 2nd quarter 36-31 and the 4th quarter 29-21, but they couldn’t overcome the 98-87 deficit they faced entering the final period.

The Celtics Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Boston’s record dropped to 16-4 after a 115-111 road loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday. The Celtics were +1.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 226 points fell just short of the 229.5-point O/U line.

Boston seemed in control after a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring Cleveland 35-21 to take an 84-72 lead. However, the Celtics couldn’t hold on, as the Cavaliers stormed back with a 43-point 4th quarter to seal the win.

Heat Offense Breakdown

Tyler Herro knocked down 6 threes at a 50% clip, finishing with a game-high 31 points in the Heat’s 119-116 loss to the Raptors. He scored 13 points in the opening quarter and added 9 more in the 4th. Miami hit 15 threes as a team, shooting 37.5% from deep and 44.3% overall from the field.

Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier each contributed 17 points, with Rozier hitting 3 threes. Butler shot 66.7% from the field, while Rozier added 9 points in the 2nd quarter. Bam Adebayo also chipped in 7 of his 13 points in the final period.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In Sunday’s loss to the Cavaliers, the Celtics shot just 40% from the field, with a three-point percentage of 34.7%, making 17 threes. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, hitting 4 threes at 44.4% efficiency.

Payton Pritchard added 24 points, including 17 in the 4th quarter, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21 points and 8 boards. Tatum also had a big 3rd quarter, scoring 17 points.

Heat Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat struggled through the first three quarters, giving up 34 points in the 1st, 31 in the 2nd, and 33 in the 3rd. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 119-116 loss to the Raptors. Overall, Miami allowed Toronto to shoot 53% from the field.

Despite the loss, the Heat did well in limiting the Raptors’ three-point shooting, holding them to 34% from beyond the arc with just 10 made threes. Miami also sent Toronto to the line 20 times, where they hit 15 free throws. The Heat recorded 11 steals and 4 blocks in the game.

Celtics Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat struggled on Sunday, giving up 119 points to the Raptors, who shot 53% from the field. Miami allowed 34 points in the 1st quarter and 33 in the 3rd, but they tightened up in the 4th, holding Toronto to 21 points.

Miami did well in limiting the Raptors’ three-point shooting, allowing just 10 made threes on 34% shooting. The Heat also sent Toronto to the line 20 times, where they made 15 free throws. Miami recorded 11 steals and 4 blocks in the game.

Heat vs Celtics Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Heat have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 113 points per game in this stretch.
• Across their three previous home games, Boston has an ATS mark of 0-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 119 points per game.
• The Heat have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• Through their previous three contests as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a strong record of 3-0. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is 1-2.

Heat vs Celtics Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +10.5, the Heat is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 220.5 and given that our model is projecting 231 points between the teams, we like the over.

---

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

---

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.