Boston Celtics at Miami Heat 2010 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: The Boston Celtics travel to play Eastern Conference rival the Miami Heat on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The Heat is at 5-3 and looking to avenge their opening loss at the Celtics to kick off the season as well as their most recent loss at home to the Jazz. Boston will be looking to continue to show that the Heat aren’t the only team in the East loaded with superstars and return to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Lakers. The Celtics are 6-2 first in the Atlantic while the Heat is 3rd in the Southeast. Heat head Coach Erik Spoelstra plans to mix up his defensive rotations to upset the rhythm of the opponents point guards. “I like the idea of putting different players on ’em and also giving different schemes,” Spoelstra said. “The great, great point guards, if they see the same thing, it’s just a matter of time before they put it into their computer, and with their ability they’re able to absolutely exploit you.” The odds makers at Bodog have the Miami Heat a -6 1/2 point favorite at home against the Boston Celtics.
The Heat is coming off a home loss in overtime 116-114 to the Utah Jazz. Dwayne Wade led the heat in scoring with 39 points and 6 rebounds. LeBron James had his first triple-double as a Heat player with 20 points, 11 boards, and 14 assists. Forward Chris Bosh also chipped in with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in the loss. Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +170 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Boston Celtics are entering the game after a 89-87 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on the road in which the Celtics had 2 chances to win the game. “It was a game we just let slip away,” Forward Paul Pierce said. Pierce led the Celts with 24 points and 9 rebounds while center Kevin Garnett had 18 points and game high 15 boards. Boston’s backcourt duo was productive as Rajon Rondo had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 15 assists while Ray Allen chipped in the 11 points and 5 rebounds. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 184 1/2 points combined of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.