The Boston Celtics gun for a 2-0 season series lead against a struggling Miami Heat, who they beat last October, 119-111.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Boston Celtics (34-10, 14-9 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

• Jrue Holiday
• Derrick White
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum
• Kristaps Porzingis (day-to-day)

The Celtics head to the game having won five of their last seven games. Their ever-present dominance is on display as they are averaging 117.4 points per game during that span, and only allowing 104.3 in return.

Besides that, there’s the aforementioned victory over the Heat early in the season. Boston starters showed up quite neatly in that game, as all scored 17 or more points, as led by Derrick White’s 28 and Jayson Tatum’s 22, with Jrue Holiday flirting with a triple-double courtesy of an all-around 17-10-7 line. 

As per usual, though, top scorers Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be the headliners, especially since they unloaded 39 and 34 points, respectively, during Tuesday’s 119-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks. Big man Kristaps Porzingis sat in that game due to an injury, but he had team-highs 32 points and five blocks in the contest prior, so he’s a force whenever he’s available.

HOME: Miami Heat (24-20, 12-9 HOME)

Projected starting five:

• Terry Rozier
• Tyler Herro
• Jimmy Butler
• Caleb Martin
• Bam Adebayo

The Heat are playing ugly as of late. They just lost to the massively undermanned Memphis Grizzlies, who were without starters Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart, 105-96. It was their fourth consecutive loss and third time in that span to score less than 100 points. They are just netting  97.0 PPG on 42.5% shooting in their last four.

The debut of the newly acquired Terry Rozier, who has 23.2 PPG on the season, didn’t help as well as he shot just 3-for-11 for nine points, while also committing five turnovers. He does deserve some slack, obviously, as he was just traded a day prior to the game.

The trio of Bam Adebayo (21.5 PPG), Jimmy Butler (21.1 PPG), and Tyler Herro (22.0 PPG) will need to rally the troupe better. They should be the catalysts in igniting the offense and the supporting cast’s confidence, especially with Jaime Jaquez Jr. (14.0 PPG) still out. The sensational rookie has missed the team’s last five games, and it’s unclear if he’ll be available tomorrow.

PREDICTIONS:

Handicap: The Celtics (-6.5) do not cover.

Over/Under: The total goes under 225.5.