Celtics vs Heat Prediction NBA Picks 2/11/24

The Boston Celtics have been in great form as they've won 10 of their last 13 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight win after outlasting the pesky Wizards in a 133-129 home win on Friday. Jayson Tatum led the team with 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 12 of 22 shooting, Kristaps Porzingis added 34 points with 11 rebounds while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 52 percent from the field and 11 of 34 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Wizards early on and allowed 71 points in the first half to fall behind early, before they dominated the third quarter by 36-16 to build a 15-point lead and avoid embarrassment.

 

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been in fine form as they've won four of their past five games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Spurs in a 116-104 home win on Wednesday. Tyler Herro led the team with 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Bam Adebayo added 20 points on 10 of 14 shooting while Jimmy Butler tallied a triple-double of 17 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists. As a team, the Heat shot 49 percent from the field and 12 of 38 from the 3-point line as they found themselves in a real close contest with the Spurs until the fourth quarter where they exploded for 38 points to pull away and win comfortably in the end.

Boston Celtics Player Facts

• Kristaps Porzingis is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
• Derrick White is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.2).
• The Heat rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (26.7).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+9.5).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (47.5).

The Celtics are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum despite an unconvincing win over the lowly Wizards and they've already beaten the Heat twice this season including a 143-110 win back on Jan 25. The Heat have improved leaps and bounds since the last meeting and they should be well-rested for this one as they haven't played since Wednesday, so while I like the Celtics to get the win, I'm backing the Heat to put up a fight in a close one.