Heat at Celtics
THE STORY: Although the Boston Celtics have climbed into first place in the Atlantic Division on the heels of a four-game winning streak, they'll be taking a step up in class when they host the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon. Miami owns the best home record in the league but has struggled on the road. The Heat have lost their last seven regular-season games in Boston, although they won at TD Garden in eliminating the Celtics from the playoffs last season.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE HEAT (37-13): Miami is coming off a 113-101 win in Toronto that gave the team a 4-6 road record in March. Chris Bosh tormented his former team with 30 points and eight rebounds. He is averaging 21.1 points in his last seven games. In last season's playoff series, he was more of a presence on the boards than offensively against Boston, averaging 12.8 points and 10.2 rebounds. Forward Udonis Haslem will be back with the team after sitting out Friday's game due to personal reasons.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (29-22): Boston has won four straight despite the absence of shooting guard Ray Allen, who has sat out five straight games with an ankle injury. He was a late scratch Friday and could be ready for Sunday. Allen scored a season-high 28 points in a loss at Miami in December and put up a season-best 35 points in 2010-11 in a victory at Miami. Forced to play center due to injuries, Kevin Garnett has averaged 23.3 points in his last three games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Miami is 12-0 when Bosh scores at least 24 points.
2. Boston has a seven-game home winning streak and hasn't lost at TD Garden since Feb. 15.
3. Heat superstar LeBron James is averaging 30.4 points lifetime against the Celtics.