The Philadelphia 76ers finished the season strong to enter these playoffs, and the Miami Heat, even though they are a veteran, experienced team, are hoping they can matchup with the 76ers; these teams split the season series, but the Sixers won the two most recent matchups.
- Spread: Sixers -5
- Moneyline Heat +184
- Moneyline Sixers -220
- Over/Under 208
These odds were updated at 9 am EST on 04/17/24, coming from Draft Kings.
Our Best Pick: Sixers to Cover
This first-round matchup pits two of the premier coaches in the NBA head-to-head. Few coaches understand better how to navigate playoffs and exploit mismatches than Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra, making for an intense contest between these two. Nick Nurse of the Sixers has demonstrated an ability to lead an injured superstar through the playoffs with skill, as he proved with Kawhi Leonard when they won a championship together in Toronto several years ago.
With both teams being evenly matched in terms of coaching, this game will likely come down to talent. My prediction: Sixers take this matchup; I see Joel Embiid as an unavoidable factor that the Heat must try to work around. He holds an enormous size advantage over Adebayo in the paint and has shown remarkable health since returning. These two teams split the season series 2-2 this year with three missed games by Embiid. He will force the Heat either to allow Bam to play solo against them or double him, thus opening up space for the Sixers’ vast arsenal of shooters.
As great as Jimmy Butler may be in the playoffs, the Sixers are uniquely equipped to give him problems by fielding an abundance of athletic twos and threes that will put pressure on him. Nurse knows Embiid has only so much ammunition left for this playoff run and may want to avoid having to play another play-in game like they had to last year in Miami; thus ensuring the Sixers don’t face that issue themselves. Remember, there are some great bonuses when you sign up for a
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- Embid will be the difference
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Sixers have been playing well
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No answers for Embid
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76ers vs Heat Moneyline
I’m staying away from the money line in this game. Betting on the Sixers makes more sense, at -5, as I think the Sixers present multiple problems for the Miami Heat. Embid will be the difference in this matchup, I do not think the Heat have the players in the paint to defend him. The key to betting this money line is finding your best over/under. To find the best line, you need accounts with multiple sportsbooks, and we got you covered as we break down the
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Both Teams are experienced
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Both teams are well-coached
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Sixers are playing better
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76ers vs Heat Over/Under Analysis
Three out of four of these teams’ games this season against each other went over 208 points. With this being a playoff game, I look for a slow tempo and a grind-it-out game. If I bet the Over/Under, I am leaning towards betting the under.
- Odds favor Low-Scoring game
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Grind it out game
- Embid to have a big night
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76ers vs Heat Spread Analysis
I think the spread is dead on. The Sixers have played well down the stretch and have a significant advantage in the post. If Jimmy Butler has a big game, the Heat have a chance, but even though Butler is known for huge playoff games, I expect that will not happen tonight.
- 76ers will control the tempo
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Butler needs a monster game
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Look for a Low-scoring game
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76ers vs Heat Head-to-Head
These teams split the season series 2-2. The Heat won the first two games and the 76ers won the two most recent matchups between these two teams.
Injuries and Suspensions
76ers Injury Report
- Melton- Qut
- Embid-Quest
- Martin- Wuest
Heat Injury Report
- Love- Prob
- Robinson- Prob
- Rozier- Out
Conclusion
This matchup is interesting, and the interesting part is that even though these teams split the season series, the Sixers are a solid favorite. As long as Embid stays healthy, he presents a problem that the Heat may not be able to deal with. Embid missed three out of the four games played between these two teams this season. Embid makes the difference tonight. If Embid ever wins an NBA Championship with the 76ers, he would probably be in the list of the
best 76ers of all time!
