Preview: Heat Face Celtics in Key Eastern Conference Matchup BOSTON (Interstat) — The surging Boston Celtics will look to extend their home-court advantage against the visiting Miami Heat when the Eastern Conference rivals meet Friday night at TD Garden. Boston (32-18) enters the contest having won seven of its last 10 games, including a 110-100 road victory over Dallas on Tuesday. The Celtics have dominated the season series, winning both prior meetings: 129-116 at home on Dec. 19 and 119-114 in Miami on Jan. 15. Jaylen Brown has been a primary catalyst for Boston, averaging 28.7 points and 9.1 rebounds over his last 10 games. He scored 33 points with 11 rebounds in the win over Dallas and poured in 27 points in the January victory over Miami. The Heat (27-25) arrive after a 127-115 home loss to Atlanta on Tuesday, which snapped a two-game winning streak. Miami has struggled for consistency, going 5-5 over its last 10 contests. Miami will rely heavily on center Bam Adebayo, who is in the midst of an impressive stretch. Over his last 10 games, Adebayo is averaging 20.7 points and 11.1 rebounds, recording a double-double in eight of those contests. He had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to Atlanta. The game features a stark contrast in recent performance. Boston boasts the NBA’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 104.3 points per game, while Miami’s defense has faltered, yielding an average of 120.3 points over its last three outings. Historically, the Celtics have won 10 of the last 12 regular-season meetings between the teams. Miami will need to find an answer for Boston’s balanced attack and tighten its defense to avoid a third straight loss in the season series. Following this matchup, Miami begins a back-to-back set at Washington on Sunday. Boston continues a brief homestand against the New York Knicks on Sunday.