Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Preview
Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
When: Sunday, March 26, 2017, 6:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: CSNE / SUN
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Betting on the Miami Heat (35-37)
Hassan Whiteside is expected play in this one, but he won’t be at a hundred percent thanks to a sprained ankle. His presence, though, should be enough to discourage any attacks and shots near rim, and inspire his teammates to play hard.
Goran Dragic will be the one shouldering most of the pressure offensively, and he’ll need to really deliver for the playoff-seeking Heat, who currently have a slim hold of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Both Chicago and Detroit are 1.5 games behind for the eight seed.
Dragic carries a team-leading 20.1 points per game this season, but his stroke has failed him over the last three games, shooting below 40 percent from the field in that stretch. In two games versus the Celtics this year though, the former Slovenian is averaging 29.0 points and 12.0 assists.
Miami, which will also be playing without Dion Waiters (ankle), is 2-3 SU and ATS in its last five road games.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (47-26)
Boston’s already secured a playoff berth, and it is mainly battling for playoff positioning—particularly the top seed in the east.
The C’s have been doing good job in doing so, winning seven of their last 10 games (5-5 ATS), including the last three contests. Isaiah Thomas’s scored 25 or more points during that three-game run, and he should continue to lead the way for his teammates in this regular-season finale with the Heat.
Thomas is averaging 33.3 points in the last three meetings of the series, all of which translated into victories for the men in green. But he and the Celtics could find themselves in trouble if their defense gives up too many points, like during Friday’s win over Phoenix.
Their defense allowed 120 total points to the Suns, 70 of which came from Devin Booker alone. And yes, you read that right. 70 freaking points.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston wins and covers.
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