Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
Last night, the Miami Heat unexpectedly fell to the Toronto Raptors on the road (116:119) — even six successful three-pointers from Tyler Herro and 20 rebounds from Bam Adebayo weren't enough to overcome the 13th-ranked team in the Eastern Conference. The Heat now face a trip to the Boston Celtics, who currently sit second in the overall standings.
Boston Celtics
Since the return of Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celtics have played three games, averaging 125 points per game. Although their matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers (111:115) was an exception, it’s important to note that the Cavaliers are a formidable opponent and the Celtics were not at full strength. Injuries to Derrick White and Jaylen Brown aren't too severe, so their involvement in the upcoming game seems promising. Last season, the starting line-up with Porziņģis on the court showed an impressive (+11.5) net rating per 100 possessions. He makes life significantly easier for his teammates by creating more open threes, more space for drives to the basket, and allows for more aggressive perimeter defence due to his reliable paint protection.
Miami Heat
It's concerning when star players deliver outstanding performances, yet the team can't beat the Toronto Raptors. Previously, the Heat also faltered against the Milwaukee Bucks (103:106) without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their competitiveness against elite teams is questionable, losing five out of six games to opponents with a .500 record or better.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction
The Celtics are far better equipped for back-to-back games thanks to their depth. This season, they’ve won all three such matches with an average margin of 22.3 points — the best in the league. Not to mention, even without Porziņģis, the Celtics score 118.4 points at home. In their current form, it's unlikely theMiami Heat can halt the Celtics’ lethal, versatile, and cohesive offence. Our pick is the handicap and individual total in favour of the hosts.
