The Boston Celtics will host their bitter rivals, the Miami Heat, on Wednesday night for their 76th game of the season.
The Celtics will look to sweep the season series over the Heat and improve to 57-19. Boston is a heavy favorite as they enter this matchup with a -10.5 spread.
Boston has proved to be the best team in the league all season long, despite not having the best record. However, they have played some of their best basketball recently, and it comes at the perfect time, with the playoffs looming.
The Celtics have been red hot lately, but as they entered this contest, their star guard, Jaylen Brown, was on the injury report. Brown landed on their injury report with a knee issue listed as questionable.
However, his knee issue won’t be a problem on Wednesday. The Celtics have upgraded Brown from questionable to available. Brown will play and start in his 60th game of the season.
Jaylen Brown (knee) available to play Wednesday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 2, 2025
Brown was last on the court on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. The 28-year-old recorded 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, two rebounds, and four assists in 30 minutes of action.
In the season, Brown has been vital for the C’s, averaging 22.4 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from three in 59 games and 34.9 minutes of action.
As for Heat star forward Andrew Wiggins, he is ruled out due to right hamstring tendinopathy.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the veteran forward is set to miss his third consecutive game on Wednesday. Head coach Erik Spoelstra stated on Tuesday that there is no set timetable for Wiggins’ return. In the meantime, Pelle Larsson is expected to remain in Miami’s starting lineup until Wiggins is ready to rejoin the rotation.
Boston aims to extend its nine-game winning streak as the Celtics prepare to face Miami.
The Celtics have been dominant within the Eastern Conference, boasting a 35-11 record. However, they rank last in the league in fast-break scoring, averaging just 11.9 points per game in transition.
Meanwhile, the Heat have struggled against Eastern Conference opponents, holding a 22-25 record. Close games have not been in their favor either, as they are just 3-9 in matchups decided by three points or fewer.
Boston has been in exceptional form, winning nine of its last 10 games. During this stretch, the team has averaged 116.7 points, 45.5 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 7.0 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field. Defensively, they have held opponents to an average of 104.4 points per game.
Miami, on the other hand, has gone 5-5 in its last 10 games but enters the contest riding a five-game winning streak.
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