NBA 2022/23, on Thursday, 01.12.2022
The game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will show whether the green and white offensive machine can continue to asphalt NBA teams left and right in the shadow of the 2022 World Cup.
While I don’t necessarily expect the Floridians to win in my Celtics Heat betting tip, various factors at least lead me to make an interesting handicap bet.
It’s madness what’s going on basketball-wise on the East Coast of the USA at the moment. The Celtics have won 13 of their last 14 NBA games and made a big splash in their last appearance.
Sure, yesterday “only” the Hornets were visiting Boston, but it’s not every NBA team that can quickly dismantle the Hornets 140-105. Jayson Tatum in particular was – once again – unstoppable with 35 points.
The C’s set the course early on for a victory that was merely “managed” for long stretches of the game and not extended any further, as they managed to be ahead by 26 points by the end of the first quarter.
The C’s display of power in the first period against the Hornets made it clear that the Green and Whites could have played even better if need be. Against Charlotte, however, there was no need to step up a gear at any point.
The upcoming opponents, meanwhile, were still really good last year – even when their best players were out for a long time due to injury.
The Heat won more often than they lost in games without Jimmy Butler (15-10), Kyle Lwory (12-7) and Bam Adebayo (17-9) during the 2021-22 season. This year, though, things look a wee bit different.
The Heat didn’t start the season badly at all and were able to win their last three NBA games in a row thanks to top players like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo – they were also convincing in the first season duel against the C’s. They lost to the C’s on the road on the first day of the season.
On 22 October, they narrowly lost to Boston 111-104 in a game in which Jayson Tatum was once again Man of the Match with 29 points. Nevertheless, I expect another close, if not even “tighter” affair this time.
There are several factors in favour of the Floridians – not only their recent strong performances, but also the return of “Celtics postseason killer” Jimmy Butler, who is scheduled for tonight.
Jimmy Butler is nicknamed that because he has caused the Celtics tremendous trouble several times in the playoffs. With him under the basket, Boston will definitely have more work to do than in the first season duel against Miami.
Speaking of the first duel of the season: Jaylen Brown was the second-best player for Boston that night, but he already had to take a break against the Hornets a few days ago due to a neck injury.
While the Green and Whites didn’t let his absence dampen their spirits as Charlotte was razed to the ground – as mentioned earlier – his absence could certainly be felt against the Heat.
The Heat are historically a team the C’s have had their fair share of problems with in the Regular Season as well as the Postseason.
In fact, the Celtics have only won one of their last six NBA games against the Floridians by a margin of at least 20 points.
But a win of exactly that magnitude is what the world’s best sportsbooks are currently predicting.
For an ordinary win for the home side, the Celtics Heat odds result in a payout of just 1.29.
The visitors, on the other hand, are considered clear underdogs with odds of around 3.30 – an assessment that I do not wholeheartedly share in this form.
Conclusion: The Celtics are riding an incredible wave of success right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ebbs away tonight.
The Heat just got back a very important player in Jimmy Butler, who will clear a lot of balls under the basket.
Butler was absent from the first meeting of the season, while Jaylen Brown, who was a mainstay in the win over the Floridians a month ago, will be absent this time.
My Celtics Heat tip: The visitors win at a handicap of +9.5.
