NBA Basketball Betting: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
Sunday, February 13, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
It’s only mid-February, but it’s probably fair to call Sunday’s Miami Heat - Boston Celtics matchup vitally important to both clubs. Bet on the game with Bodog’s NBA basketball odds.
Thanks to Boston’s home loss to the L.A. Lakers on Thursday and the Heat’s easy win over the Pistons on Friday, Miami, for the first time since early January and only the second time this season, is in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of the Celtics heading into Sunday’s nationally televised game. Perhaps more important, the Heat are 0-2 against Boston this season. Thus if the Celtics win on Sunday, they would hold a potentially huge playoff tiebreaker should the teams end up tied in the standings at the end of the regular season.
The teams haven't met since Nov. 11. Boston won 88-80 at home in the NBA season-opener Oct. 26, then prevailed 112-107 in Miami about two weeks later. But clearly the Heat are a different club since then. Since the last time the teams played, the Heat have gone on three long winning streaks of 12, nine, and their current eight straight wins. LeBron James has been playing at an MVP level since the calendar turned to 2011; he already has 51-point and 41-point games this month. James is averaging 33 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the two games vs. Boston this season. The Heat do need more from Chris Bosh against Boston. He scored just 23 points combined in the two losses.
Boston is limping to the All-Streak Break, having lost three of its past four games. And the Celtics are battered, with Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, Semih Edren, Marquis Daniels and Delonte West all injured. And backup point guard Nate Robinson was hurt in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers and is iffy for this one. West might be able to play but only briefly. Thus Boston’s Big 4 of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo are playing heavy minutes and might be wearing down.
Boston shot 17-of-32 combined from 3-point range in those two wins against the Heat. Allen, who set the NBA record for career 3-pointers made on Thursday, hit 12 of his 17 3-pointers.
Who wins this likely Eastern Conference Finals preview? Get the best odds at Bodog Sportsbook
Related Articles
- Bovada NBA Basketball Betting Odds: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
- NBA Basketball Picks & Tips: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
- NBA Playoff Picks: Celtics in a hole against Heat
- NBA Playoffs Betting: Are Championship Hopes Over for Celtics?
- NBA Basketball Odds: Celtics Look to Regroup in Game 3 vs Heat
Category
Tags
boston celtics - chris bosh - delonte west - jermaine o’neal - kevin garnett - lebron james - marquis daniels - miami heat - paul pierce - rajon rondo
Proud member of the