Miami (46-36) at Philadelphia (47-35)
When: Wednesday, April 17th 2024
Where: Wells Fargo Center,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -4/208
Two teams that expected better seasons this year will square off in Philadelphia Wednesday night, as the 76ers host the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference Play-In game. The winner will claim the seventh seed and play the New York Knicks in the first round. The loser will get another chance on Friday against the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat game for the right to play top-seeded Boston. Philly comes into this contest as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 207.5.
The teams split four regular season matchups with Miami winning their two on Christmas Day and Valentines Day. The 76ers took the most recent matchups, 98-91 at home on March 18 and 109-105 at Miami just two weeks ago. Injuries are a concern for both teams. Joel Embiid is listed day-to-day but practiced on Monday. For Miami, Kevin Love is day-to-day (arm contusion), while Duncan Robinson (back) and Terry Rozier (neck) did not play on Sunday.
MIAMI HEAT
Miami has been in this position before, and they’ve thrived. In last year’s playoffs, the Heat lost the 7 vs. 8 game, won the next one to get into the first round and road that momentum all the way to the NBA Finals before eventually losing to Denver. Tyler Herro, who has been very good since returning from injury, is tied with Jimmy Butler for the team lead at 20.8 points a game this season. Bam Adebayo is always a scoring threat and terrific rebounder (10.4). The Heat have the third-best defense in the league, giving up only 108.4 points a contest.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Philadelphia is one of the hottest teams in the league entering the postseason. They have won eight games in a row and have covered the spread in each of their last 10. Besides Embiid, the Sixers have some great playmakers like Tyrese Maxey (25.9 points, 6.2 assists) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (15.4 points). Buddy Hield (12.2 points, 3.0 assists) has been a boost since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Prediction:
Miami is a dangerous team when it comes to the postseason, but this Philly team is on a roll since Embiid came back. They are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall and 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight at Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers will ride that momentum and the home crowd to a win and cover tonight.
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