NBA Game Preview: Miami Heat (27-25) vs. Boston Celtics (33-18)

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The Miami Heat head to Boston for a key Eastern Conference matchup against the surging Celtics. Miami sits seventh in the East, clinging to a playoff spot, while Boston holds third place and aims to extend its winning streak. This game pits Miami’s gritty defense against Boston’s potent offense, but injuries could tilt the scales.

  • Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Tip-Off Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV/Streaming: FDSSUN (Heat broadcast), NBCS-BOS (Celtics broadcast), NBA League Pass

TD Garden, home to the Celtics since 1995, has been a fortress this season with Boston posting a 16-8 home record.

Injury Report

TeamPlayerStatusInjury/ReasonExpected Return
HeatTyler HerroOutRibs (Costochondral Injury)February 9
HeatTerry RozierOutNot With TeamFebruary 20
HeatJaime Jaquez Jr.AvailableLeft Knee SprainN/A
HeatNikola JovicAvailableRight Hip ImpingementN/A
HeatPelle LarssonAvailableLeft Finger (Mallet)N/A
HeatDavion MitchellAvailableLeft Shoulder SprainN/A
CelticsJayson TatumOutRight Achilles RepairApril 1
CelticsMax ShulgaOutG League – Two-WayN/A
CelticsJohn TonjeAvailableN/AN/A

Miami will miss Herro’s 21.9 PPG and Rozier’s playmaking, forcing more reliance on Norman Powell (23.0 PPG) and Bam Adebayo (18.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG). Boston, without Tatum (season-long absence), leans on Jaylen Brown (29.5 PPG) and recent addition Nikola Vucevic (16.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG), who could debut tonight.

Player Matchups to Watch

  • Jaylen Brown (BOS) vs. Bam Adebayo (MIA): Brown leads the NBA in field goals made per game and averages 29.5 PPG. Adebayo, Miami’s defensive anchor, must contain him inside while contributing offensively. Brown’s scoring could exploit Miami’s shorthanded backcourt.
  • Payton Pritchard (BOS) vs. Davion Mitchell (MIA): Pritchard (17.1 PPG, 5.3 APG) has stepped up in Tatum’s absence, hitting over 2.5 threes in recent games. Mitchell’s defense could disrupt, but Pritchard’s hot streak (Under 16.5 points in props) makes this a perimeter battle.
  • Nikola Vucevic (BOS Debut?) vs. Kel’el Ware (MIA): If Vucevic plays, his rebounding edge (9.0 RPG) challenges Miami’s frontcourt. Ware and Adebayo will need to dominate the glass.
  • Derrick White (BOS) vs. Norman Powell (MIA): White’s all-around game (17.3 PPG, 5.6 APG) vs. Powell’s scoring (23.0 PPG, 39.2% from three) could decide bench production.

Without key guards, Miami’s offense may struggle against Boston’s depth, including Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser.

Team Recent Forms

  • Miami Heat: 11-15 on the road. They’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10, alternating wins and losses. Recent results show inconsistency: a 134-91 blowout win over Chicago but a 127-115 home loss to Atlanta. Miami averages 109.2 PPG at home but struggles away, emphasizing defense (holding opponents to 108.5 PPG recently).
DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 3vs. ATLL115-127
Feb 1vs. CHIW134-91
Jan 31@ WASW(Win streak prior)
Jan 29vs. NOPW125-106
Jan 27@ DETW118-112
  • Boston Celtics: 16-8 at home. They’ve won four straight and are 7-3 in their last 10, with strong defense (holding opponents under 100 PPG in recent wins). Boston’s offense averages 114.1 PPG over the last 10, fueled by Brown’s efficiency.
DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 4@ HOUW114-93
Feb 3@ DALW110-100
Feb 1vs. MILW107-79
Jan 30vs. SACW112-93
Jan 28@ ATLW132-106

Boston’s four-game streak includes dominant defensive efforts, while Miami’s road wins have been gritty but against weaker foes.

Series History

Boston leads the all-time series 88-54, including a 2-0 edge this season (119-114 on Jan. 15 and 129-116 on Dec. 19). The Celtics have won seven of the last nine meetings, dominating at home (5-1 in last six). Historically, games average 208.93 total points, with Boston winning the last confrontation 119-114 in Miami. This rivalry has playoff intensity, with Boston holding a 21-21 postseason split.

Betting Trends

  • Key Trends:
    • Heat: 1-8 ATS in last 9 vs. Boston; Over in 8 of last 11 games overall.Celtics: 29-21-1 ATS this season; 13-8 ATS as 6.5+ favorites; Under in last 7 games (by avg. 14.8 points).
    • Series: Over in 5 of last 7 meetings; Boston 7-3 ATS in last 10 vs. Miami.

Game Odds

Miami Heat                        226.5

Boston Celtics                   – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 5, 2026