Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Miami Heat have not only evolved into the Beasts of the East, they are widely projected to win the NBA title this season.

After making it to the NBA Finals in their first season sporting Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, the Heat not only have more experience, the defending champion Dallas Mavericks appear to have taken a step backwards.

The Heat host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, and it's bound to be physical and competitive as always.

Get ready for some heat in Miami, folks.

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

When: Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8:00 p.m. EST

Watch: TNT

Listen: WEEI Sports Radio Network (Boston), 790 AM The Ticket (Miami)

Betting Line: Heat by 9.5, according to Bovada

Key Injuries

Heat small forward Mike Miller is out until at least early January because of a hernia, per CBSSports.com.

Shooting guard Mickael Pietrus is out until at least early January and star small forward Paul Pierce is doubtful with a heel injury.

What’s At Stake?

At this point in the season, it's about getting off to a fast start.

For the Heat and Celtics, however, it's more than that. For the Heat, it's about continuing to prove they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. For the Celtics, it's about regaining their swagger and saying, "Not so fast."

The Heat already looked like a championship team in their first game of the season, while the Celtics lost their opener against the New York Knicks, 106-104, when Kevin Garnett missed a baseline jumper in the closing seconds.

What They’re Saying

Said LeBron James after the season-opening win over the Mavericks, per The Boston Globe:

"

“It’s a concerted effort going into the season and into this game to be aggressive, get to the free throw line and try to make my free throws. Put as much pressure on the defense as I can and try to do that all night. It’s a good start for us. But it was one game. We have a long way to go and we have to continue to be better.’’

"

James was criticized last season for being too complacent and settling for too many jumpers instead of using his near-unstoppable frame to drive to the hoop. It appears he's starting to figure things out.

As for the Celtics, point guard Rajon Rondo has started off red hot after being the subject of trade rumors in the offseason.

Said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers after the Celtics' season opener, per ESPN:

"

"This is the Rondo we want. This is what we talked about last year. Getting to the free-throw line. Taking the shots when they're open. I thought he was the aggressor in the game. I don't know if [he] can do that every night, but overall, that's the Rondo that we want. It was terrific."

"

Celtics Player to Watch

Rajon Rondo's play will be critical if the Celtics are to make it to the NBA Finals this season.

The team is still being criticized for trading away defensive post presence Kendrick Perkins last season, and what's worse, the man they traded for, forward Jeff Green, is out for the season due to an aortic aneurysm.

Forward Glen Davis has also moved on to the Orlando Magic and the Celtics are an aging team.

Rondo needs to play like the superstar he's capable of being this season.

Heat Player to Watch

Do I really need to tell you who?

LeBron James, of course.

Ever since arriving in Miami last offseason and spurning his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, James has been under heavy scrutiny, and his late-game woes in the playoffs last season drew scorn across the nation.

It's likely the Heat will defer to Wade this season in late-game situations, but James will have to step up from time to time for the Heat to win a championship.

Key Matchup: Sasha Pavlovic/Marquis Daniels vs. LeBron James

The fact that James has decided to get to the bucket more often this season should be terrifying opponents. When you're a linebacker on the basketball court, no defender wants to be in your path.

Small forward Paul Pierce likely won't be playing against the Heat, so backups Sasha Pavlovic and Marquis Daniels will have to pick up the slack.

Pierce's absence on the defensive side of the ball may be more harmful to the Celtics than his absence on the offensive end.

Prediction

Rajon Rondo is going to have to have another spectacular performance to uproot the Heat in this game. Against a team like Miami, losing a star like Paul Pierce makes it very hard to come out on top.

But, all in all, the Celtics' roster looks worse this season.

The fact of the matter is, the Heat are on the upswing while the Celtics are fading away from the title discussion.

Heat 100, Celtics 90