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Andrew Rogers
Heat vs. 76ers: Game 2 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
It didn’t take long for the Philadelphia 76ers to show the NBA world they’re not simply content to make the postseason. The Sixers made a loud statement with a 27-point win over Miami in the series opener – and even without star center Joel Embiid, they have all the momentum heading into this NBA matchup on Monday night. Philadelphia’s 130-103 rout in Game 1 extended its overall win streak to 17 games – tied for the longest by any pro team in the city’s history.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The betting line for Game 2 is similar to that for the opener, with Philadelphia a comfortable seven-point favourite over the visiting Heat. Bet against these Sixers at your peril; in addition to their incredible winning streak, they’ve covered in 12 of their last 15 games and are 9-2 ATS in their previous 11 games against the Eastern Conference. The Heat have just one cover in their last five road games and are a dismal 2-6 ATS in their previous eight overall.
Saturday’s electrifying series opener extended a strong over trend between the teams; they’ve gone above the number in six of their previous eight encounters. Philadelphia is 5-1 O/U in its last six games overall and has gone over in each of its past five games against East opponents. Miami has posted 10 overs in its past 13 road games but had gone below in its previous five conference quarterfinal games prior to Saturday’s emphatic over.
Miami Heat
That loss didn’t have much of an impact on the Heat’s chances of winning the series; they remain +500 longshots. But it does leave Miami with more questions than answers after they failed to capitalize on the absence of Embiid, who has said there’s a “pretty good chance” he’ll return for Game 3 in Miami. That said, Embiid struggled vs. the Heat in the regular season, averaging under 20 points on 41.2-percent shooting in three games.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers do love those mid-to-high single-digit lines, having racked up seven consecutive covers as a favourite of between five and nine points – and Monday’s game falls right in the middle of that range. And they’ve done it all with an incredibly potent offence that has produced at least 115 points 12 times during their 17-game winning streak. They’ve also gotten off to fast starts, outscoring their opponent in the first quarter in 11 of those 17 victories.
