Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-6.5) Betting Odds

Miami (5-3, 4-4 ATS) has been solid, but far from spectacular. The Heat lost at home 116-114 to Utah on Tuesday, blowing a 22-point lead and failing to cover as 9.5-point favorites. After covering four straight games, Miami has lost its past three against the spread.

Stopping elite guards has been the biggest problem so far. Utah's Deron Williams went off for 21 points and 14 assists on Tuesday. That follows up fine performances of Miami opponents including New Orleans' Chris Paul (13 points, 19 assists) and Boston's Rajon Rondo (17 assists). There's some debate as to who should be guarding these guys. Dwyane Wade says he doesn't mind doing it in stretches, but would prefer not to take on the role full-time. LeBron James and James Jones are also getting minutes defending the perimeter.

But stopping explosive point guards isn't the only defensive problem. Chris Bosh has looked tentative at both ends of the floor, and it was painfully apparent against Utah. Paul Millsap had his way with Bosh, racking up 46 points.

At the other end of the floor, James and Wade are growing more comfortable with each other on a nightly basis. D-Wade led the way against Utah, scoring 39 points. James picked up a triple-double, posting 20 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.

Boston (6-2, 4-4 ATS) was riding a five-game winning streak before Monday's 89-87 loss to Dallas. The Celtics still covered, though, giving them back-to-back wins against the spread.

The aforementioned Rondo is off to a fantastic start this season. He's averaging 11.1 points and 14.8 assists per game, tops in the NBA by a long shot. Rondo is also incredibly active in his own end, racking up an impressive 3.1 steals per game so far. Paul Pierce (19.6 points per game) and Ray Allen (17.3 points per game) have been the primary beneficiaries, while Kevin Garnett continues to be a nightly double-double threat.

Injuries to the frontcourt hurt Boston against the Mavericks. Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal both sat out. The Celtics stuck with an eight-man rotation and got just 21 points from the bench. The status of both big men is in question for Thursday.

Boston beat Miami 88-80 when they met in the season opener, covering as a one-point underdog. Rondo was the key, while James and Wade struggled to find a rhythm with one another. The total went under. Boston's last two games have gone under the total, while Miami has gone over in four straight games. Sportsbook.com has set the total at 211 points.

Rankin's Prediction
Take the Heat -6.5 at Betus.