Celtics vs. Heat Line at Miami -7.5

Written by :

Carrie Stroup

Published on :

10 April, 2012

Carrie Stroup here and I have your Celtics vs. Heat line, which was coming in at Miami -7.5. You can bet all of today’s NBA games here at Sportsbook.com and claim up to $250 in FREE CASH when you join today.

Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Miami -7.5 & 183

Opening Line & Total: Heat -7 & 183

Nine days after getting blown out in Boston, the Heat will be looking for revenge when they host the Celtics on Tuesday night.

On April 1, the C’s hammered the Heat 91-72 in Boston, the most lopsided loss the Heat have suffered this season. Since that game the Heat have bounced back with a solid homestand so far, going 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) including a win over Oklahoma City. But the Celtics have become an elite team again and are especially dangerous when well-rested. Since March 1 they’re 12-3 SU and ATS with at least one day of rest, including four wins (SU and ATS) in a row. And they’ve held opponents to 77.7 PPG over their past seven games after getting at least one day off.

The Celtics have gone on a tear in large part due to a new lineup. After starting his first game back from an ankle injury last week, SG Ray Allen (14.4 PPG, 45.2% from three) has come off the bench the past three games. He’s averaged 14.3 PPG and hit 38.1% of his threes as Boston’s new sixth man. In his starting spot, combo guard and defensive specialist Avery Bradley (5.9 PPG) has shined. Bradley is averaging 13.7 PPG on 51.0% FG while posting an average plus/minus of +9.6. More importantly, Boston is 7-1 SU and ATS in games Bradley has started.

The Celtics also continue to get strong play from PF Kevin Garnett (15.6 PPG on 50.9% FG, 8.2 RPG), who bounced back from a mini-slump to score 20 points on 8-for-11 FG in a win over Philadelphia on Sunday. SF Paul Pierce (19.1 PPG) is averaging 22.2 PPG and shooting 48.6% FG and 40.7% from three over his past 11 games, and scored a team-high 23 points against the Heat nine days ago. And PG Rajon Rondo (12.1 PPG, 11.2 APG) has recorded double-digit assists in 17 straight games, including a triple-double (16 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists) against Miami.

This game will wrap up a five-game homestand for the Heat. They’ve gotten back on track for the most part, but are having some issues shooting the ball. Through the first four games of this homestand, Miami is hitting just 41.8% FG and 30.8% from three. SF LeBron James (26.8 PPG on 53.4% FG, 8.0 RPG, 6.4 APG) has held up his end of the bargain, averaging 30.5 PPG on 52.3% FG over the past four games, but the rest of the Big Three has gone ice cold. SG Dwyane Wade (22.6 PPG on 49.9% FG) is averaging 19.5 PPG on 41.7% FG over the past two games and has sat out two of the past four games due to knee and ankle ailments. Wade is expected to start Tuesday. PF Chris Bosh (18.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG) has averaged 17.5 PPG while making only 42.4% FG over the past four contests. On top of that, PG Mario Chalmers (9.9 PPG, 39.6% from three) has hit just 37.8% FG and 26.7% of his threes over the past four games. When these teams met in Boston on April 1, Wade, Bosh and Chalmers combined to shoot 9-for-33 (27.3%) in a 91-72 defeat.