Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/15/2026

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 15, 2026

Venue:  Kaseya Center, Miami, FL 

Where to Watch:  NBCS-B, FDSSU

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  233.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  233.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  233.5 points

Boston Celtics:  24-15 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)

Miami Heat:  21-19 (2nd place, Southeast Division)

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Boston Celtics:  6-4 last 10

Miami Heat:  6-4 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 24-15 record overall this season and they are 12-8 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers. Payton Pritchard led the team in points in that game with 23 while Derrick White was next on the team with 18 points. Payton Pritchard led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jordan Walsh led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 45.5% from the field, 25.7% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.1 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 21-18 this season and their O/U record is 17-22.

The Heat are entering this game with a 21-19 record overall this season and they are 14-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Phoenix Suns. Bam Adebayo led the team in points in that game with 29 while Norman Powell was next on the team with 27 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Bam Adebayo led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 52.2% from the field, 34.2% from 3-point range, and 81.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 119.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.8 PPG against them. The Heat have an ATS record of 23-17 this season and their O/U record is 19-21.

The current betting odds have the Heat listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Heat have looked good in their games this season with their 21-19 record overall which has them right in the middle of the East. They have looked a lot better on their home court though with their 14-6 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Celtics have looked really good in their games this season with their 24-15 record overall which has them right near the top of the East. They have been a good road team too with their 12-8 road record this year. The Celtics have looked good lately as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they have been a big surprise this season since they weren't supposed to be this good with Tatum missing most of the season. They have turned things around after a terrible start to the season, but they have still been overachieving and are starting to come back down to Earth now. They have lost 2 games in a row now and they are off a loss to the Pacers in their last one, the Pacers being one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. The Heat haven't been at their best lately, but they are still 6-4 in their last 10 games and they do have some momentum on their side with a win over the Suns in their last one. They took a big lead in that game early and ended up blowing the lead, but they recovered well to still get the win, and they have looked a lot better in their home games all year. Look for the Heat to string together a 2nd win in a row at home and take advantage of a Celtics team that has lost 2 games in a row now and has been cooling off. The best way to place a bet here is on the Heat to cover the spread in this game. 

Celtics Heat Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Thursday, January 15, 2026 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Heat 118 Celtics 114.

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Boston Celtics: 12-6 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 33-15 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite. 20-12 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less. 21-11 UNDER after a loss by 6 points or less. 

Miami Heat: 21-31 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent. 2-5 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 18-25 ATS at home versus good offensive teams - scoring 116+ points/game. 4-0 UNDER at home against Atlantic division opponents. 

Boston Celtics:  J. Brown (SF) Day To Day - Back. J. Minott (SF) Day To Day - Ankle. J. Tatum (PF) Out - Achilles.

Miami Heat:  D. Mitchell (PG) Day To Day - Shoulder.

“I hope somebody can just pull up the clips because it’s the same s— every time we play a good team. It’s like they refuse to make a call (favoring the Celtics). Then call touch fouls on the other end. That’s just extremely frustrating, bro.” - Jaylen Brown after their loss against the Pacers in their game on Monday.

“The ball found the right karma. He earned it to have a great night. He really did. How he was pouring so much of his effort and intensity into the game. And he hit those clutch 3s. It was awesome to see.” - Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo after his team’s win against the Suns in their game on Tuesday.

PG Payton Pritchard

SG Derrick White 

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Sam Hauser

C Neemias Queta

PG Davion Mitchell

SG Tyler Herro

SF Norman Powell

PF Andrew Wiggins

C Bam Adebayo

PPG: Jaylen Brown (29.5)

APG: Payton Pritchard (5.3)

Reb/G: Neemias Queta (8.2)

PPG: Norman Powell (23.9)

APG: Davion Mitchell (7.3)

Reb/G: Kel'el Ware (10.1)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (4th season)

Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra (18th season)