The Philadelphia 76ers (3-1) will try to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals when they clash with the Miami Heat (1-3) at Wells Fargo Center in game five of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 211 points with Philadelphia opening as a 9.5-point favorite.
Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers Betting Prediction
In game four, Simmons notched a triple-double. He had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists and the 76ers beat the Heat 106-102, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 208 points, which was just 4.5 points below the projected point total of 212.5 points. Philadelphia did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (27-35; 77.1 percent). Miami, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (15.3 vs. 20.7).
Opposite styles will be on display in this battle. Philadelphia likes to play quickly (fourth in possessions per game), while Miami likes to grind-it-out (20th in possessions per game). Also, the 21st-ranked offense of the Heat (offensive efficiency of 105.2) will face a difficult challenge against the third-ranked defense of the 76ers (defensive efficiency of 102.7).
Miami holds records of 45-41 straight up (SU) and 42-40-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Heat’s 86 games, 44 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is 55-31 SU and 51-35 ATS. Unlike Miami, games featuring the 76ers have finished over the total 50.0 percent of the time.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. James Johnson (13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists) has been fantastic for the Heat while Marco Belinelli (19.0 points and 1.6 steals) has made great contributions to the 76ers.
Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – Heat, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Miami is 25-16-2 ATS on the road with 22 unders, 20 overs and 1 push.
At home, Philadelphia is 28-14 ATS with 22 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Philadelphia is 22-0 and Miami is 27-6.
The Heat are 33-21 when they reach the century mark, while the 76ers are 52-19.
Philadelphia ranks fifth in second chance points per game (13.9) while Miami ranks 26th (11.0).
The 76ers rank first in rebounds per game (47.5) while the Heat rank 20th (43.4).
Miami averages 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Philadelphia ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
The Heat rank 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.8) while the 76ers rank 27th (18.4).
Philadelphia ranks second in assists per game (27.1) while Miami ranks 16th (22.8).
The Heat rank 13th in steals allowed per game (7.6) while the 76ers rank 26th (8.5).
Philadelphia ranks 16th in fast break points per game (11.4) while Miami ranks 27th (9.6).
The Heat rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while the 76ers rank 17th in three pointers allowed per game (29.4).
Philadelphia ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (41.3) while Miami ranks ninth (43.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Miami is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Heat’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.8, up from 0.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (9.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.2 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
*****
