NBA Lock Alert – Boston at Miami

Okay BetOnline NBA Sportsbook betting enthusiasts, the Boston Celtics (34-9 SU, 23-20 ATS, 18-24-1 O/U) appear to be back on track following their toughest stretch in nearly two seasons.

The Celtics won their fifth straight game on Monday, pounding the Phoenix Suns unmercifully in their 104-87 rout in which they covered the spread for NBA sports betting backers as 8.5-point home favorites.

The Miami Heat (22-18 SU, 18-20-2 ATS, 21-19 O/U) also picked up a convincing victory, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-94 on Sunday to cover the spread as 1-point road favorites in the BetOnline Sportsbook.

The Celtics blitzed the Suns on Monday, jumping out to an early lead that they never relinquished and which ballooned to over 30 points early in the second half.

Boston cashed as 8-point home favorites as point guard Rajon Rondo scored a team-high 23 points and dished out seven assists while shooting guard Ray Allen added 20 points and the C’s forced a whopping 23 turnovers.

"I don’t think this is a team that will get shaken or rattled when we go through a struggle," forward Paul Pierce said. "We stay together and we kept our heads up. I never really thought we lost our confidence. We’re still the defending champions. It’s just a matter of remembering who we are as a team."

Head coach Doc Rivers said his team has gotten back to playing its brand of basketball.

"I just like where we’re going right now as a team," Rivers said.

The Heat defeated Oklahoma City 104-94 on Sunday as Dwyane Wade scored a team-high 32 points to go along with 10 assists for Miami while forward Yakhouba Diawara added 14 points in the win.

Miami played without injured forward Shawn Marion while rookie Michael Beasley was limited to four points after averaging 17.1 in his previous eight games.

"It’s the time of the season that everyone’s banged up," said Wade, who is battling sore knees. "Everyone’s just banged up, but now we’ve got a couple days off before we’ve got to play Boston. It’ll give everybody an opportunity to get healthy and get some rest."

The Celtics are hoping to have starting center Kendrick Perkins back tonight after missing the last five games with a shoulder injury.

Here is a look at tonight’s key basketball trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick:

Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami

The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Boston’s last 10 games on the road

Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami’s last 7 games

Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 8 games at home

NBA Odds

Boston Celtics -5½ -110

Miami Heat +5½ -110

Over 187 -110

Under 187 -110

Analysis: I’ll keep this pick short and sweet by saying that I fully expect the Boston Celtics to run away with tonight’s contest while easily covering the spread against a mediocre, but overachieving Miami Heat team tonight.

After watching the C’s demolition of the Suns on Monday, tonight’s contest should be a cakewalk.

NBA Free Picks: Boston -5½ Points/Under 187 Total Points