Heat head north to Beantown

Miami has been resting its starters and did so in Tuesday’s 103-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Dorell Wright scored 19 points to pace the Heat. Jason Kapono scored 16 points, while Antoine Walker netted 14.

Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade and Gary Payton were on Miami’s inactive list. Miami, the Southeast Division champions, is the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat are 4-6 in the month of April and could either face Indiana, Chicago or Milwaukee in the opening round of the postseason. Miami, which ended with a 31-10 home mark in 2005-06, is 21-19 as the visitor this season.

Boston, meanwhile, has lost five in a row and will close out the season in Beantown. The Celtics were in the playoff chase a few weeks ago, but gradually dropped off the scene.

On Monday in a 93-88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tony Allen scored a game-high 23 points and Gerald Green tallied 17 and five rebounds for the Celtics.

The Celtics are 2-7 in the month of April and own a 20-20 record at TD Banknorth Garden this season. They went 12-29 as the guest in 2005-06.

Wednesday’s game between Miami and Boston is fourth and final meeting of the season. The Heat are 3-0 in the season series and have won seven of the last eight matchups. They also have won nine of 14 and 10 of the last 17 against Boston.

Miami has won two of its last three and 11 of 18 in Beantown.