Just 215 on the totals side doesn't seem especially high but considering previous meetings between these two this season, it looks a tall hill to climb. Earlier matchups this season both ended with similar scorelines (108-89 and 103-85), both favoring the Celtics, and the post-Jimmy Butler Miami is lacking punch, scoring just 105 pg in the current five-game losing streak. Erik Spoelstra has been lacking scoring balance, with Bam Adebayo recently leading the team in scoring for six straight games until Tyler Herro took the mantle with 31 points in Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the Clippers. Boston enters tonight 8-5 under across its last thirteen games, while Miami had five straight under results snapped by the loss to the Clips on Wednesday. Play Celtics-Heat Under

Some risk, we suppose, when backing the Celtics, whose entire roster seems to make the daily injury report. Yet Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown & Co. usually manage to feature, and off of a loss to the Thunder, would expect the big Boston hitters to show up tonight. Then there is Miami, no longer even a fringe contender sans Jimmy Butler, and currently skids with five straight losses. Only because the bottom of the East is so bad are the Heat in a play-in spot at the moment, but all that means is being ahead of a 23-43 Toronto (Miami is 29-36 entering tonight). Previous meetings this season had similar 108-89 and 103-85 scorelines in favor of Boston, and expect the same tonight. Play Celtics.

Trying to figure out a reason why the Celtics would much care here off that potential Finals preview and home loss to OKC on Thursday (that surprised me) and then flying back up north right after this one to play at Brooklyn on Saturday. With basically nothing to play for the rest of the regular season, I can almost guarantee at least one key guy sits Friday (Tatum, Porzingis and White are ??) as there is simply no reason to let anyone important play both ends of a B2B at this point in the season.

The Celtics haven't been a great cover team, but far better on the road than home and beat Miami by 19 there last time (and won y 18 at Boston). Boston is looking to bounce back from a home loss to OKC. Even without KP, too much for lowly Heat. Boston won 8 of last 9 on the road; 7 wins by 7+. BOS 5th in net rating last 15 games while MIA 19th. Heat very limited offensively. Miami has lost 12-16, by an average of 8.8 points. Himmy Butler trade may have ruined what's left of their culture. Heat fail to cover 3 straight at home.