Ala Hann Sport picks

Boston’s NBA playoff odds have dropped after a lackluster second half to the season, and the Celtics have lost seven of their last 10 overall as they head into their first-round series with Miami, who have won nine of their last 10 games. Can the Celtics get their head on straight?

Heat vs Celtics odds – Saturday, April 17, 8:00 PM ET

The Heat went on a tear to end the season, but there are still questions about Miami being a one-man team, but when your one man is Dwyane Wade, it’s a pretty good deal. Wade ended the season with 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds, and he also added 1.84 steals and 1.06 blocks. They’re doing it with defense as they allowed 100 points or more in two of their last 13 games. This is key as the Heat don’t score much outside of Wade, who was rested for the finale. Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O’Neal were also rested due to soreness, but they should be in the lineup on Saturday, which is a boost to the Heat’s sportsbook odds.

The Celtics’ usually-strong defense took a big hit down the stretch as they gave up 100 points or more in eight of their last 10 games, and what’s more, the team just doesn’t look interested. There are rumors that Doc Rivers is leaving after the season, there are questions about the age and durability of the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and the signing of Rasheed Wallace may have been the worst of the season.

NBA betting odds should favor the Celtics in this contest, and this may have been the best possible draw for Boston to get as they won all three of their meetings with the Heat this season, and nine of their last 10 overall against Miami, who have lost five straight in Boston. People have been saying that the Celtics won’t get it going until the playoffs, but that’s a risky thing to do, and they’re going to have to get together soon. Wade has averaged 33.7 points and 8.7 assists against the Celtics this season, but he’s going to need some help. Where it comes from, we don’t know, because no one is sold on Michael Beasley. The Heat’s defense will keep them in this series, and they have a solid shot to win it, but the Celtics are a proud bunch, and they may want to come out and make a statement to all of their doubters in the first game of the series, which is why we’re taking the Boston Celtics in our sports betting picks on Saturday.