76ers vs Heat Prediction & Odds: Miami The Big Favorite To Go Up 2-0

The Miami Heat (58-30 SU, 50-37-1 ATS) will look to take a two-game series lead on Wednesday when they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers (55-34, 42-46-1) to FTX Arena. The Heat are 5-1 in the playoffs while the Sixers are now 1-3 in their last four games. Can Miami take a stranglehold on the series? Find out in our 76ers vs Heat prediction.

76ers vs Heat Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds 

The Heat opened as a big 9-point favorite for Game 2 with the total set at 206.5 points. The UNDER is 5-1 in Philadelphia’s last six games and 6-0 in Miami’s last six outings. Miami has stayed hot through the playoffs after finishing the regular season strong, going 11-2 in its last 13 games, so there’s no reason to doubt the home team for your 76ers vs Heat prediction.

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76ers Lose Big Without Embiid

The 76ers were routed 106-92 in the first game of their second-round series against the Heat. Tobias Harris stepped up with 27 points in the absence of Joel Embiid but only three Sixers finished in double digits. 

Philadelphia was always going to struggle offensively without Embiid, who is averaging 26.2 points in these playoffs, but the 76ers made things much harder on themselves by shooting so poorly on Monday. The Sixers went just 6-for-34 from beyond the arc, while the Heat outshot them 92-79 and outrebounded them 47-37. Harris was the only real bright spot, shooting 11-for-18 from the field, as Philadelphia fell to 6-9 without Embiid this year.

Embiid (orbital) remains out for Game 2.

Defense Comes Up Big Again For Miami

The Heat didn’t have their most clinical offensive performance in Game 1 but came out with a comfortable win nonetheless. Tyler Herro led the way with 25 points in just 29 minutes while Bam Adebayo had a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Jimmy Butler, who returned from a one-game absence, scored just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

Miami has continued to dominate defensively in the postseason, allowing just 96.5 points per game and surrendering more than 94 points in just two of six contests thus far. The team’s defense was already elite in the regular season, giving up just 105.1 points per game (3rd), but the Heat have taken things to another level in the playoffs.

Herro (ankle), Gabe Vincent (knee), Caleb Martin (ankle), Max Strus (hamstring) and PJ Tucker (calf) are questionable while Kyle Lowry (hamstring) is out.

76ers vs Heat Pick & Insights

76ers: Keys To Cover

The 76ers had one of their worst shooting performances of the year in Game 1 and that won’t cut it, especially without Embiid to pick up the slack. Philadelphia will need James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, who scored 16 and 19 respectively, to have much bigger impacts in Game 2 if they’re going to even up the series.

Heat: Keys To Cover

Miami is banged up once again going into Game 2 but should have enough weapons to get the job done. Butler had an off-night in Game 1 but Herro and Adebayo stepped up with strong performances. We can expect a better showing from Butler in Game 2 and another good defensive effort from Miami to secure a two-game lead.

Odds Shark’s Computer 76ers vs Heat Prediction: 76ers +8

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