Heat vs 76ers Prediction
Heat and 76ers Duel As The Postseason Approaches
The 38-31 Miami Heat will host the 47-22 Philadelphia 76ers in one of the final regular-season games of the year. Both teams have been red hot, each winning 8 of their last 10 games. This game will come down to who can play better defense against these high-scoring juggernauts.
This matchup will be played at American Airlines Arena, where the Heat are 20-15 this year. Philadelphia coincidentally has the same record whenever they play on the road this year. Look for this game to be close to the end.
The 76ers are still fighting to maintain the first seed in the eastern conference, and the Heat are looking to stay in the 5th spot. Both teams have been playing phenomenally and will bring all they have in the tank to prepare for the playoffs.
The Heat Have Been Cooking and Looking Scary
The Miami Heat have won their last three games and seem to be playing their best basketball of the year. The Heat have been consistent on both ends of the floor and will look to compete against this number 1 seed Philadelphia 76ers.
Miami’s most recent wins have come against the struggling Boston Celtics. The Heat were able to score 130 points on Sunday and 129 points on Tuesday night. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson have all played extremely well during this win streak.
Jimmy Butler had to leave the court just before halftime after receiving a poke to the eye against the Celtics. He is questionable for tonight’s matchup. Tyler Herro was able to lead the Heat to victory with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson each dropped 22 points of their own.
The Heat just received news yesterday afternoon that star guard Victor Oladipo will undergo season-ending surgery on his meniscus. This a huge loss for the Heat because they just traded for Oladipo in exchange for a thriving Kelly Olynk in Houston.
The Heat have just clinched a playoff spot and are looking to compete with one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. If they are able to continue this offensive surge and defensive prowess, then Philadelphia will have a tough time staying with Miami.
Philadelphia 76ers Looking To Bounce Back After First Loss in Nine Games
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off of a loss against the Indiana Pacers. Their all-star center, Joel Embiid, was out of the lineup due to a non-covid illness. They had won 8 games in a row prior to the loss on Tuesday.
Tobias Harris was able to carry the load against the Pacers, leading the way with 27 points on 11/24 shooting. Ben Simmons recorded a near triple-double with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. The 76ers just weren’t able to pull through without Joel Embiid’s scoring and defensive presence.
Tobias Harris explained post-game that he felt like the 76ers “lost their composure late” in the game against Indiana. They had taken a 16-point lead in the first half and ended up losing the game by 9 points. Embiid should be in the lineup against the Heat and give Philadelphia a boost.
Philadelphia has played beautiful all-around basketball and will look to beat this Heat team, who has been on fire as well. The 76ers need to continue to play at their own pace and lock down opposing teams with their length and athleticism, and they should be fine.
Pick and Prediction
The 76ers are -1.5 in this contest. Both teams have been playing extremely well, but I would have to lean towards the 76ers in this one. I’m taking the 76ers at -1.5, and I think they will win this game by at least 6. Jimmy Butler is questionable, and the Heat will need their all-star guard if they want to score against one of the top defenses in the NBA.
Joel Embiid will put up a double-double with 38 points and 12 rebounds. Tobias Harris will score 25 points, and Ben Simmons will dish out 9 assists. For Miami, Bam Adebayo will have 29 points and 11 rebounds to help out Miami.
Pick: 76ers -1.5
