The Eastern Conference semifinals continue Wednesday with the Miami Heat hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of the best-of-7 series. The Heat won Game 1 easily and look to take a 2-0 lead over the shorthanded Sixers. Tip-off from FTX Arena is 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Heat odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Heat cruised to a 106-92 win in Monday’s game, outscoring the Sixers 56-41 in the final 2 quarters. SG Tyler Herro (25 points) and C Bam Adebayo (24) led the way while SF Jimmy Butler scored 15 points with 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Adebayo had the only double-double of the night with 12 rebounds to go with his 24 points.
The Sixers are playing without C Joel Embiid, who suffered a facial fracture in the first round and is out indefinitely. G James Harden struggled in Game 1, shooting just 5 of 13 from the field with 16 points and 9 rebounds. SF Tobias Harris did his best to carry the offense with 27 points on 11-of-18 shooting.
76ers at Heat odds and lines
- Money line: 76ers +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Heat -420 (bet $420 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +8.5 (-120) | Heat -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 207.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
76ers at Heat key injuries
76ers
- C Joel Embiid (facial fracture) out
Heat
- SG Tyler Herro (ankle) questionable
- PG Kyle Lowry (hamstring) out
- SF P.J. Tucker (calf) questionable
- SF Caleb Martin (ankle) questionable
- G Max Strus (hamstring) questionable
- SG Gabe Vincent (knee) questionable
76ers at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 110, 76ers 99
Money line
The Sixers are in a terrible spot without Embiid, which allows the Heat’s swarming defense to focus on Harden. That worked to perfection in Game 1 with Harden only scoring 16 points and the 76ers making only 6 of 34 shots from 3-point range.
I think the Heat will take a similar approach and the Sixers won’t be able to adapt enough to win this one. I like the Heat to win, but it’s not worth wagering on the money line (-420). PASS.