Thursday’s NBA schedule has several matchups featuring playoff contenders, including an Eastern Conference clash between the Celtics (24-15) and the Heat (21-19). Boston is the third seed in the East, while Miami looks to climb back into a playoff spot as the eighth seed, which currently puts them in the Play-In Tournament. This matchup at the Kaseya Center tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Below, we’ll break down our Celtics vs. Heat prediction, spread, and total for Thursday night’s game. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including game winners, spreads, and totals.
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Celtics vs. Heat Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Celtics face the challenge of playing the 2025-26 season without their star F Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles tear. They struggled early, starting the season 5-7; however, they have turned it around, going 18-8 since, and now have the third-best record in the East.
The Heat are trending in the opposite direction. They started the season 13-6, but have lost 12 of their last 19 games and, during that stretch, fell out of a playoff spot and into the Play-In Tournament...as is becoming tradition.
Celtics vs. Heat Over/Under, Spread
The Celtics enter Thursday’s game as 1.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.69x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Heat are home underdogs with a 2.04x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Boston Celtics -1.5
- Over/Under: 233.5
- Game Winner Payout: Celtics 1.69x | 76ers 2.08x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Celtics vs. Heat Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to help you make your Celtics vs. Heat prediction on Thursday, January 15.
- This game could see a lot of shooting, with the Heat leading the league in shot attempts per game (93.1) and the Celtics ranking fifth (91.1).
- Boston will try a lot three-pointers, as they take the second-highest number of shots from beyond the arc per game (42.6).
- Miami lets its opponent shoot from long range freely, allowing the fourth-most 3-point attempts per game (40.3).
- The Celtics have covered the spread in 12 of 20 road games this season.
Celtics vs. Heat Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Celtics vs. Heat injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- F Josh Minott (ankle) – OUT
Heat Injury Report
- PF Nikola Jovic (knee) – Probable
- SF Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) – Probable
- PG Davion Mitchell (shoulder) – Probable
- SG Tyler Herro (toe) – Probable
Celtics vs. Heat NBA Picks for PrizePicks Today: Thursday, January 15
Here are three top Celtics vs. Heat picks to target for Thursday, January 15, on PrizePicks. C Neemias Queta and G-F Norman Powell headline player stat projections via PrizePicks.
Celtics C Neemias Queta Projection: 9 Rebounds
- Queta is a significant presence on the boards in recent weeks, as his 10.6 rebounds per game in January ranks sixth in the NBA.
- The Heat rank 25th in opposing center rebounds, allowing 15.2 rebounds per game.
- Per NBA.com, the former Utah State center’s 8 rebounds from box outs are the eighth-most in the league.
- According to databallr, the 2021 second-round pick grabs the rebound on 20.8% of his own misses, putting him in the 87th percentile.
Heat G-F Norman Powell Projection: 21.5 Points
- Powell is one of the Heat's most important offensive players. leading the team with 23.9 points per game, a 26.5% usage rate, and a 57.8% effective field goal percentage.
- The former second-round pick has more than 21 points in 12 of 18 home games this season.
- Per databallr, the former UCLA guard’s 26.8 points per 75 possessions ranks him in the 98th percentile.
- In the last matchup against Boston, Stormin Norman scored 18 points in the 129-116 loss on December 19, 2025.
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Make Celtics vs. Heat Picks on PrizePicks
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