The Miami Heat will be in Beantown to take on the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Heat-Celtics prediction and pick.

The season series between these two Eastern Conference clubs is dead even at one a piece coming into this third and final matchup of the season. Boston came away with a two-point victory back in January and Miami countered with a six-point victory on Sunday. With these teams separated by just two games in the standings with just four to play, which group will gain ground on the other?

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Heat-Celtics odds.

NBA Odds: Heat-Celtics Odds

Miami Heat -2 (-115)

Boston Celtics +2 (-105)

Over 223 Points (-110)

Under 223 Points (-110)

Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread

A Miami Heat victory would essentially lock the Celtics into the play-in tournament and guarantee the Heat a trip to the first round. With a two-game lead over Boston coming in, Miami could take a three-game lead with just three games to play with a win. The Heat have a tough remaining schedule with the 76ers, Bucks, and Pistons on deck. Philly and Milwaukee are still motivated to lock up seeding, so this very well could be the most friendly matchup for Miami before the last game against Detroit.

Miami has a realistic chance of surpassing Atlanta and New York in the standings with a win as well. The chance to have home court in the first round has to be enticing for a group with high aspirations after last year's run. Miami is rolling right now, with all five starters scoring in double-figures in the win against Boston on Sunday. Jimmy Butler led the way with 26 points, 11 assists, eight boards, and two steals. Miami has to love the spot they're in right now because they're 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games at the TD Garden.

Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread

The Boston Celtics received horrible news this week as it appears Jaylen Brown will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ligament in his wrist. This is a huge blow given the fact that Brown was having a career-year and was the only other true scoring option next to Jayson Tatum. Although it's tough for a clubhouse to rally after receiving devastating news, that's exactly what the Celtics must do here. This is the game of the season for Boston as a win would bring them within one of the Heat in the standings. With all of the complaints about the play-in format, you know teams are extremely motivated to stay out of that situation entirely.

A win against the Heat wouldn't only bring them within a game, but it would also give them the tiebreaker for the season. Boston has a fairly favorable schedule following this game with the Cavs, Wolves, and Knicks on deck. The key for Boston going forward will be the play of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker on the offensive end. Fournier led the way for the Celtics in the recent loss against Miami with 30 points and eight assists. Despite the struggles all year, the Celtics have done a good job defending home court with a 21-14 record at the TD Garden.

Final Heat-Celtics Prediction & Pick

This is going to be a scrappy affair in Beantown. The chances that this game results in a blowout for either side are slim to none. The motivation has been laid out above and is clear for both parties in this game. Throw all of the chatter out the window and look at a sheer fact. The Boston Celtics have been a good basketball team at home this season. The Celtics haven't lost many consecutive games at the TD Garden this season and I don't believe that will happen against the Heat.

FINAL PICK: Boston Celtics +2 (-105)