Celtics vs Heat Picks and Prediction – 4/29/2024

In the first game of a Monday night NBA on TNT Playoff doubleheader, the Boston Celtics will take on the Miami Heat from the Kaseya Center. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The top-seeded Celtics finished the regular season with 27 road victories and led the league in offensive efficiency. In Game Three, Boston built a 23-point halftime lead and shot 47 percent from the field during a dominant 104-84 road victory.

All-Star F Jayson Tatum and G Jaylen Brown led Boston with 22 points apiece on a combined 17-for-36 from the field. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 18 points (5-9 FG) and five rebounds. Derrick White added 16 points and five boards for the Celtics. 

The Miami Heat were three games above .500 at home during the regular season and ranked fifth in the league in defensive efficiency. On Saturday, Miami was unable to follow up a franchise record 23 three-pointers made and missed 19 of 28 from long distance. The eighth-seeded Heat were limited to 12 points in the first quarter and shot 42 percent from the field. 

All-Star C Bam Adebayo tallied a team-high 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Miami F Nikola Jovic and G Tyler Herro scored 15 points each on a combined 10-for-26 from the floor. Rookie G Jaime Jacquez Jr. added 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists for the Heat.