The Boston Celtics walk into Miami on Thursday night with a clear mission: stop the slide before it becomes a skid. Boston has dropped two straight and has not lost three in a row since the season’s opening week. The Heat, at 21-19, always raise the temperature in this rivalry, no matter the records. Tip is at 7:30 PM ET in Miami, and the final injury report at 2:00 PM ET delivers a boost for the visitors.

At 24-15, the Celtics still sit in a strong spot, but the details matter. Their record in close games (decided by five points or fewer) is 8-12. That tells you how thin the line has been late. Thursday’s matchup could swing on those final five minutes again, and both sides know it.

Final injury report tilts Boston’s way

The most important pregame news is simple: Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser are tracking to play. As one report framed it, “The injury news favors Boston heading into Miami. Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser return at a time when depth matters most.” Their presence changes the spacing and the pecking order for the Celtics. It means cleaner driving lanes, more reliable shooting, and steadier defense on the wing.

Brown is averaging 25.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He is Boston’s pressure valve and late-clock shot maker. Hauser’s floor spacing forces defenses to stay honest. And when you add what Derrick White brings — 20.2 points per game and a calm, steady hand — it’s clear why oddsmakers lean Boston even on the road.

On the Heat side, there are still moving parts, but the projection has Tyler Herro in the starting group. Keep an eye on game-time updates — the league’s official report was refreshed at 8:15 AM ET and again mid-afternoon — but as of the 2:00 PM ET mark, the biggest momentum came from Boston’s clean bill for Brown and Hauser.

“If Brown and Hauser are back, Boston’s spacing looks elite again.”

Odds and total: books expect points — and a tight finish

The Celtics are slight favorites, between -2 and -2.5. The total sits in the 233.5 to 234.5 range. That says two things: oddsmakers expect a close game, and they expect points. Boston’s offense can explode when shooters are healthy and available. Miami finds ways to grind, but with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo on the floor, they can run hot too.

For Boston, the two-game slide adds urgency. This group has avoided extended slumps since that 0-3 start. A narrow spread on the road is a show of faith from the market, but it also recognizes Boston’s 8-12 record in clutch spots. Games like this are where that number needs to turn.

Projected lineups and matchups to watch

Projected starters, per the latest reports:

• Celtics: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser
• Heat: Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins

There are three matchups to keep a close eye on:

• Jaylen Brown vs. Andrew Wiggins: Two two-way wings with size and burst. Brown’s downhill force vs. Wiggins’ length and timing is a swing battle on both ends.
• Derrick White vs. Tyler Herro: White is Boston’s connector. Herro is Miami’s shot engine. Containing Herro off screens and in transition is a top Celtics priority.
• Neemias Queta vs. Bam Adebayo: Adebayo is the Heat’s hub on both ends. Queta’s job is to hold the line on the glass, roll hard, and avoid foul trouble.

Payton Pritchard’s quick pace can change tempo in Boston’s favor. Sam Hauser’s gravity can pull defenders away from the paint, opening slips and cuts. For Miami, Davion Mitchell’s point-of-attack defense may bother ball handlers and ignite runouts. Norman Powell brings scoring punch and veteran craft on the wing.

“Eight-and-twelve in the clutch? That has to flip tonight.”

What the last meeting taught us

These teams met on Dec. 19, and Boston won 129-116. That night showed two truths: the Celtics can blitz the Heat with pace and shooting, and Miami can still swing the game with a hard push in the middle quarters. As one team voice put it after a similar feel, “They love these kind of moments where it’s electric in there and you have to make big plays. So it was good to see us overcome the third quarter, there was a little bit of a glitch there where we kind of went back to some of the things that get us in trouble.”

Translation: expect a run. The Heat are known for their third-quarter surges and physical defense. Boston must stay sharp on the first action, then the second and third. No gambling, no slow rotations. Make Miami finish over length and through contact, not at the line or in transition.

Keys to the night

• Start with force: End the skid by setting the tone. Early Brown touches and paint attacks set up the shooters.
• Protect the glass: Adebayo and the Heat wings will crash. One shot and out keeps Boston in control.
• Handle the third: Miami’s best punches often land after halftime. Stay organized out of timeouts and match their energy.
• Clutch choices: Late-game spacing with Hauser on the floor should open Brown/White pick-and-rolls. Make simple reads and value each trip.

“Heat culture games always get weird — watch the third-quarter swing.”

Why this one matters

It’s only January, but these are the games that shape seed lines and confidence. A road win stops Boston’s slide and stamps belief in its late-game fixes. A Miami win evens the season tone and reminds everyone that the Heat, regardless of seeding, can throw this matchup into chaos.

Boston’s stars are back, the spread is tight, and the total is high. Expect pace, shot-making, and at least one big momentum swing. If the Celtics clean up the small stuff — defensive boards, fouls, and the first six minutes of the third — they can lean on Brown and White to close. If not, the Heat will gladly drag them into another coin flip with five minutes left.

Tip-off is 7:30 PM ET in Miami. Keep an eye on any last-minute status tweaks, but as of the 2:00 PM ET injury report, the arrow points toward a fuller Boston rotation — and a primetime test of their late-game resolve.