Heat Winless on Second Night of Back-to-Backs This Season; Getting 6 Points in Boston

• Miami Heat have lost all of their games on second nights of back-to-backs
• Boston Celtics are 6-0 ATS as home favorite
• Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

The Miami Heat head to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and the latest Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics odds price the visitors as six-point underdogs, facing a Boston team that is 6-0 against the spread as home favorite this season.

Boston currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-5 record, one win behind than the Heat, who are 15-5.

Both teams come into this game with notable injury concerns. Marcus Smart is day-to-day with an abdomen injury for the Celtics, with Gordon Hayward still absent. Goran Dragic didn’t play in Tuesday’s win over the Toronto Raptors with a right groin strain and could be forced to sit out again in Boston.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Odds

Odds taken Dec. 4.

Butler Takes Charge 

Despite Miami blowing a seven-point lead in the final two minutes of regulation on Tuesday, Jimmy Butler starred in a huge win against the Raptors. Kyle Lowry’s return to action was spoiled thanks to a monstrous overtime display from Butler, who finished the game with a triple-double as Miami tied Toronto for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.  

Already got a triple-double now taking over overtime.@JimmyButler you're a real 1. pic.twitter.com/o5eDJFP1mG

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 4, 2019

Butler has a case to be the second most valuable player in the East this season (following Giannis Antetokounmpo) as the Heat have muscled their way among the contenders. He will be the best player on the court at the Garden on Wednesday, and could have the opportunity to take over again in the fourth quarter in what will likely be a tight game.

Battle of the Benches 

These two teams rank at opposite ends of the league when it comes to bench scoring. Miami’s 45.2 points per game is good for fourth in the NBA, while Boston are 29th in the same category. Hayward’s injury has forced Brad Stevens to alter his rotations, and the potential absence of Smart will make it yet trickier.

The Celtics’ depth has been tested, and their second unit has been a major weakness so far.  

The Heat’s bench is hurt by Dragic’s probable absence, too. Erik Spoelstra has Kelly Olynyk and rookie shooter Tyler Herro, however, who have given their team great minutes so far this season. 

Herro is hitting over 40% of his three-pointers, as is the veteran Olynyk. How that pairing perform on Wednesday will be crucial – away from Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, the Celtics highest active scorer will be Enes Kanter (7.8 points per game) if Smart sits out.  

In the Balance  

The Heat’s three losses on the second nights of back-to-backs have come against the Minnesota Timberwolves (before Butler’s debut), the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. The schedule, in that way at least, has been cruel.

On the road in Boston is a similarly daunting challenge after facing the reigning champions, but the circumstances are different to the prior three outings. 

Crucially, Butler is fully fit and available. He’s playing great basketball at both ends. The Celtics, after a long winning streak, are on an indifferent run, going 4-4 over their last eight games. The injury to Smart could prove crucial – his defense has been vital for Boston this year.  

The Celtics are unbeaten at home this season, and 6-0 ATS, but the Heat look a good bet at +6. Boston’s offense can become forced at times – Miami have the personnel to make it difficult for them, as they do against most opponents (sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA).

This may well be a tight game, and could come down to who executes best in the fourth quarter.  

Pick: Miami Heat +6 (-110)