The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are all square through the first two games of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, but oddsmakers still think the Sixers are the better team.
The Heat will look to prove them wrong – and to preserve home-court advantage – as they host Philadelphia in Game 3 on Thursday night. The Sixers are slight favourites at American Airlines Arena heading into the game, and are an overwhelming -455 to prevail in the series.
NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Apr 12:29pm | PHI | -2 -110 | O +216 -110 |
| Closing 19 Apr 11:39pm | PHI | -2.5 -110 | O +213 -110 |
This one could still move either way depending on the status of 76ers big man Joel Embiid, who hasn’t been cleared to return from an orbital bone injury – and isn’t happy about it, claiming that the team is babying him. Philadelphia has been terrific even without Embiid in the lineup, having covered in 12 of its last 16 games while going 4-1 ATS in its previous five on the road. And the Heat have struggled at home, covering just once in their last five contests there.
Neither team is leaning toward a particular total trend heading into Game 3. The 76ers have gone above the number in five of their previous six games against Eastern Conference foes, but are 4-12 O/U in their last 16 road outings vs. teams with winning home records. Miami has gone below the total seven times in its past nine games on two days of rest, but is 12-3-1 O/U in its last 16 contests following a successful cover in their previous game.
Learn more about Over/Under betting on the NBA with our bet guide.
Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has missed the past 10 games due to injury – and while the 76ers have won nine of those contests, they’re absolutely a better team with their seven-footer in the lineup. The Heat have played Philadelphia tough in their own arena, covering three times with a push in their last four meetings in Miami. But the 76ers are on a mini-roll as a close favourite, having won three consecutive games with a spread between -1 and -2.5.
Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade’s 28-point outburst in Game 2 was a welcome sight for Miami fans and bettors alike – but it doesn’t always work out that way. Miami is just 3-3 SU in six games in which Wade has scored 15 or more points since returning to South Beach in a deadline trade with Cleveland. That said, three of those games have come against the 76ers – and with Wade averaging 20.5 points in his last four encounters with Philadelphia, look for more of the same in Game 3.
Injuries
JJ Redick (SG)
Justin Anderson (SG)
Amir Johnson (C)
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (SG)
Marco Belinelli (SG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Demetrius Jackson (PG)
Jahlil Okafor (C)
Trevor Booker (PF)
T.J. McConnell (PG)
Tyler Johnson (SG)
Josh Richardson (SF)
Hassan Whiteside (C)
James Johnson (PF)
Dwyane Wade (SG)
Bam Adebayo (C)
Justise Winslow (SF)
Wayne Ellington (SG)
Rodney McGruder (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JJ Redick (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 11 / 04 / 18 | 6-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Redick is dealing with lower-back tightness but is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Justin Anderson (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 28 / 03 / 18 | 12-7 | 8-10-1 | + - |
|
Anderson has missed the last two games with right ankle soreness and it is unclear if he will play against the Hornets on Sunday. |
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| Amir Johnson (C) | Prob Fri | Flu - 28 / 03 / 18 | 12-7 | 8-10-1 | + - |
|
Johnson was held out of the previous game due to flu-like symptoms but will likely suit up Friday against the Hawks. |
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| Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (SG) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 13 / 03 / 18 | 17-10 | 13-13-1 | + - |
|
Luwawu-Cabarrot is sidelined with tendinitis in his right knee and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Marco Belinelli (SG) | Prob Sun | Groin - 11 / 03 / 18 | 17-11 | 13-14-1 | + - |
|
Belinelli is suffering from right groin tightness but is likely to be in the lineup Sunday against the Nets. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Thurs | Acquired - 01 / 03 / 18 | 20-12 | 15-17-1 | + - |
|
Ilyasova was recently acquired via a trade and it is unknown if he will make his debut Thursday against the Cavaliers. |
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| Demetrius Jackson (PG) | Out indefinitely | Groin - 21 / 02 / 18 | 21-15 | 18-18-1 | + - |
|
Jackson been sidelined with a left adductor strain and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Jahlil Okafor (C) | Ques Tues | Calf - 14 / 02 / 18 | 22-15 | 18-19-1 | + - |
|
Okafor has been held out of the previous three games due to tightness in his left calf and it is undetermined if he will play against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. |
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| Trevor Booker (PF) | Ques Fri | Finger - 24 / 01 / 18 | 28-20 | 22-26-1 | + - |
|
Booker has a dislocated left middle finger and his status for Friday's matchup against the Spurs is clouded. |
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| T.J. McConnell (PG) | Prob Fri | Personal - 23 / 01 / 18 | 29-20 | 23-26-1 | + - |
|
McConnell missed the last game due to a personal matter but is expected to suit up Friday against the Spurs. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Johnson (SG) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 24 / 04 / 18 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers despite a sore thumb. |
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| Josh Richardson (SF) | Prob Tues | Shoulder - 22 / 04 / 18 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Richardson suffered a shoulder sprain but is likely to play against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Hassan Whiteside (C) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 11 / 04 / 18 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Whiteside is nursing an unspecified injury and his status against the 76ers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round is up in the air. |
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| James Johnson (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 04 / 04 / 18 | 3-6 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Johnson missed the last game with an ankle injury but is likely to participate in Friday's matchup against the Knicks. |
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| Dwyane Wade (SG) | Prob Fri | Wrist - 04 / 04 / 18 | 3-6 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Wade sat out the last game due to a wrist injury but is expected to suit up against the Knicks on Friday. |
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| Bam Adebayo (C) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 27 / 03 / 18 | 4-9 | 6-7 | + - |
|
Adebayo sat out the last game with an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Thursday's matchup against the Bulls. |
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| Justise Winslow (SF) | day-to-day | Knee - 11 / 03 / 18 | 9-11 | 10-10-1 | + - |
|
Winslow injured his knee last game but is expected to suit up for Monday's contest against the Trail Blazers. |
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| Wayne Ellington (SG) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 27 / 02 / 18 | 12-12 | 14-12-1 | + - |
|
Ellington has missed the last four games due to a left quadriceps contusion but is likely to return against the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Rodney McGruder (SG) | Prob Tues | Leg - 27 / 02 / 18 | 12-12 | 14-12-1 | + - |
|
McGruder is dealing with a leg injury but is expected to be available against the 76ers on Tuesday. |
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| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Tues | Hand - 10 / 02 / 18 | 16-13 | 18-13-1 | + - |
|
Dragic hurt his left hand in the previous game but is likely to suit up Tuesday against the Raptors. |
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76ers vs. Heat Game 3 Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Apr 12:29pm PHI -2 -110 O +216 -110 Closing 19 Apr 11:39pm PHI -2.5 -110 O +213 -110 -
Injuries
JJ Redick (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 11 / 04 / 18Justin Anderson (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 28 / 03 / 18Amir Johnson (C)
Prob Fri Flu - 28 / 03 / 18Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (SG)
Out indefinitely Knee - 13 / 03 / 18Marco Belinelli (SG)
Prob Sun Groin - 11 / 03 / 18Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Thurs Acquired - 01 / 03 / 18Demetrius Jackson (PG)
Out indefinitely Groin - 21 / 02 / 18Jahlil Okafor (C)
Ques Tues Calf - 14 / 02 / 18Trevor Booker (PF)
Ques Fri Finger - 24 / 01 / 18T.J. McConnell (PG)
Prob Fri Personal - 23 / 01 / 18Tyler Johnson (SG)
Prob Tues Thumb - 24 / 04 / 18Josh Richardson (SF)
Prob Tues Shoulder - 22 / 04 / 18Hassan Whiteside (C)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 11 / 04 / 18James Johnson (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 04 / 04 / 18Dwyane Wade (SG)
Prob Fri Wrist - 04 / 04 / 18Bam Adebayo (C)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 27 / 03 / 18Justise Winslow (SF)
day-to-day Knee - 11 / 03 / 18Wayne Ellington (SG)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 27 / 02 / 18Rodney McGruder (SG)
Prob Tues Leg - 27 / 02 / 18Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Tues Hand - 10 / 02 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes JJ Redick (SG) Prob Sat Back - 11 / 04 / 18 6-5 6-5 + - Redick is dealing with lower-back tightness but is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Justin Anderson (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 28 / 03 / 18 12-7 8-10-1 + - Anderson has missed the last two games with right ankle soreness and it is unclear if he will play against the Hornets on Sunday.
Amir Johnson (C) Prob Fri Flu - 28 / 03 / 18 12-7 8-10-1 + - Johnson was held out of the previous game due to flu-like symptoms but will likely suit up Friday against the Hawks.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (SG) Out indefinitely Knee - 13 / 03 / 18 17-10 13-13-1 + - Luwawu-Cabarrot is sidelined with tendinitis in his right knee and there is no timetable for return.
Marco Belinelli (SG) Prob Sun Groin - 11 / 03 / 18 17-11 13-14-1 + - Belinelli is suffering from right groin tightness but is likely to be in the lineup Sunday against the Nets.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Thurs Acquired - 01 / 03 / 18 20-12 15-17-1 + - Ilyasova was recently acquired via a trade and it is unknown if he will make his debut Thursday against the Cavaliers.
Demetrius Jackson (PG) Out indefinitely Groin - 21 / 02 / 18 21-15 18-18-1 + - Jackson been sidelined with a left adductor strain and there is no timetable for return.
Jahlil Okafor (C) Ques Tues Calf - 14 / 02 / 18 22-15 18-19-1 + - Okafor has been held out of the previous three games due to tightness in his left calf and it is undetermined if he will play against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Trevor Booker (PF) Ques Fri Finger - 24 / 01 / 18 28-20 22-26-1 + - Booker has a dislocated left middle finger and his status for Friday's matchup against the Spurs is clouded.
T.J. McConnell (PG) Prob Fri Personal - 23 / 01 / 18 29-20 23-26-1 + - McConnell missed the last game due to a personal matter but is expected to suit up Friday against the Spurs.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tyler Johnson (SG) Prob Tues Thumb - 24 / 04 / 18 0-1 0-1 + - Johnson is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers despite a sore thumb.
Josh Richardson (SF) Prob Tues Shoulder - 22 / 04 / 18 0-1 0-1 + - Richardson suffered a shoulder sprain but is likely to play against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Hassan Whiteside (C) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 11 / 04 / 18 2-4 3-3 + - Whiteside is nursing an unspecified injury and his status against the 76ers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round is up in the air.
James Johnson (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 04 / 04 / 18 3-6 4-5 + - Johnson missed the last game with an ankle injury but is likely to participate in Friday's matchup against the Knicks.
Dwyane Wade (SG) Prob Fri Wrist - 04 / 04 / 18 3-6 4-5 + - Wade sat out the last game due to a wrist injury but is expected to suit up against the Knicks on Friday.
Bam Adebayo (C) Prob Thurs Ankle - 27 / 03 / 18 4-9 6-7 + - Adebayo sat out the last game with an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Thursday's matchup against the Bulls.
Justise Winslow (SF) day-to-day Knee - 11 / 03 / 18 9-11 10-10-1 + - Winslow injured his knee last game but is expected to suit up for Monday's contest against the Trail Blazers.
Wayne Ellington (SG) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 27 / 02 / 18 12-12 14-12-1 + - Ellington has missed the last four games due to a left quadriceps contusion but is likely to return against the 76ers on Thursday.
Rodney McGruder (SG) Prob Tues Leg - 27 / 02 / 18 12-12 14-12-1 + - McGruder is dealing with a leg injury but is expected to be available against the 76ers on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Tues Hand - 10 / 02 / 18 16-13 18-13-1 + - Dragic hurt his left hand in the previous game but is likely to suit up Tuesday against the Raptors.