While the Celtics are in rebuild mode again this season having dealt Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, the Heat are fighting for a playoff spot and consider this a crucial game as they begin a four-game road trip.




Miami is a miserable 8-15 at home, but 12-11 on the road. The Heat have covered 59 percent of their away matchups. Boston is 2-7 ATS the past nine times when hosting an opponent with a winning road mark.




The Celtics are five games under .500 at home. Their home attendance may be down for this matchup with the Patriots playing in the Super Bowl later in the day. Miami has covered nine of the last 10 times versus foes with a losing home mark. Boston has lost five of its past six home games, including the last three.




The Heat buried the Celtics, 100-84, at home when they last met on Dec. 21. What's significant about that is the Heat won by 16 despite not having Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside.




Whiteside has emerged has an inside force ranking in the top 10 in rebounding and leading the league in blocked shots since Jan. 11. He's averaging 17.7 rebounds and 15.3 points during his last three games. Boston is a below average rebounding team without a starter taller than 6-foot-9.




Wade is out again, but Bosh and Whiteside will play. So could Luol Deng, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury.