Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics preview, prediction, pick, odds: C's look for back-to-back wins over Heat

Yardbarker Quick Pick

Boston just dispatched Miami at home off a 49-point effort from Jayson Tatum, and we like them to do it again. The Celtics have won 14 of their last 15, and even with the potential return of Jimmy Butler for the Heat tonight, we're backing Boston to cover the -6.5. — Griffin Carroll, Yardbarker

Looking for the latest odds on Celts-Heat? Click here for LIVE updates on OddsChecker!

Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Miami Heat: +8 (-107) spread, +280 moneyline, over 226 (-106)
@ Boston Celtics: -8 (+107) spread, -320 moneyline, under 226  (-107)

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out our FREE bets page

"There's about 15 or 18 points a game he's getting just because of what he's doing without the ball," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Tatum postgame. "(Tatum's scoring) is just as much about that."

With Tatum steering the ship offensively, Boston is leading the NBA in scoring (121.9 points per game). The Celtics will look to keep their prolific offense rolling against one of the league's better defensive teams -- the Heat are holding opponents to 110 points per game despite Wednesday's outcome -- and close out a perfect six-game homestand.

The Celtics hit the road for six straight after this game and will not play at home again until Dec. 16.

Meanwhile, Miami enters the home stretch of its second four-game road swing in its past 10 games. The Heat played four straight on the road Nov. 16-21, losing all four while dealing with a bevy of holes in the lineup.

After winning three straight, including last Sunday's opening game in this second road swing in Atlanta, Miami inched back toward .500 for the season before Wednesday's setback dropped it to 10-12.

Six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, who has missed the past seven games with a knee injury, could return to the lineup on Friday. The versatile Butler is averaging 20.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season, and he is a catalyst of the Miami defense.

"He's one of the best players in the league. How can you not want him on the floor with us?" teammate Max Strus said, per the Sun Sentinel. "Hopefully, he can come back. We're all excited for him to come back, and we can use him out there, for sure."

Bam Adebayo, who missed the first two games in Miami's recent four-game swoon, has carried the scoring load recently with back-to-back games of 38 points Nov. 25 against Washington, and 32 points last Sunday at Atlanta.

Adebayo finished with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in Wednesday's loss but was ejected late after drawing two technical fouls after arguing with officials. He later was critical that Boston attempted 23 free throws while Miami only took nine.

Miami made all nine, while the Celtics went 20 of 23 from the line.