Pro Basketball Picks: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
Sunday, 1/27/13, 1:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Miami -4
Current Betting Line: Miami -3.5
Opening Total: 188
Current Total: 187.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Heat Celtics NBA Game Preview — LeBron James has been on fire over his last six games

Miami enters this Eastern Conference affair on a four-game win streak, which includes a dominating 110-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons as 9.5-point home favorites, while going OVER the total in two consecutive contests. The Heat are led on the offensive end by forward LeBron James, who is averaging 26.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, while knocking down 62.2 percent of his shots over the last six games. Miami is 3-5 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 points this season, which must be considered when making your pro basketball picks Sunday.

The Heat are 10-9 overall on the road, including a 3-5 mark versus conference opponents. Miami earned a 120-107 victory in its first meeting with Boston this year as 6.5-point home favorites, while going OVER the posted total of 187.5. The franchise has scored at least 20 points off turnovers in five of its last six games, averaging 23.0 points over that span. James has teamed up with Dwyane Wade to combine for 184 points over their last three games.

Boston has lost six games in a row, including a 123-111 overtime setback to the Atlanta Hawks as 5.5-point road underdogs Friday night, while going OVER the total for the first time in three contests. The Celtics have three probable starters averaging at least 10 points per game, with forward Paul Pierce leading the way at 18.8. The team is 13-9 overall at the TD Garden, which includes an even 6-6 mark versus conference rivals. Boston is 9-12 ATS at home this season, with the UNDER going 11-10 in that situation.

The Celtics are going to receive some support when people end up making their NBA picks against the spread, considering they’ve won and covered the spread in their last two opportunities when receiving 3.5 to 6 points at this venue. Boston will definitely have to try and contain James and Wade, considering the Heat duo combined to score 55 points in the first meeting.