Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat Prediction, Expert Picks, Odds, News, Injury Report, H2H - 4/17/24

The Play-In Tournament is treating us to some tantalizing matchups, and none more so than the Sixers and Heat. The 76ers vs Heat are going to be a hot topic this week, with the loser of this matchup facing either elimination from the postseason or the Boston Celtics. Our 76ers vs Heat prediction is available below!

The NBA Playoffs are getting underway, and our Expert Insights are still going to be stacked with basketball betting tips. Tipster Sam Cox has been on a hot streak in April and will look to continue that here.

76ers vs Heat Prediction and Picks: 4.75-odds Same-Game Parlay for Game 1

•         Philadelphia 76ers -4.5
•         Tyrese Maxey over 23.5 points
•         Joel Embiid over 4.5 assists

Bet Builder Odds: 4.75

It’s no secret the Sixers were dominant with Joel Embiid this season. They played at a 65-win pace with the 2022-23 MVP available. Philly was +9.6 per 100 possessions with Embiid on the court, and they got the better of Miami earlier this month.

The Heat were 16th in net rating in the regular season. They lost their last four games against Playoff opposition.

We can’t look past the Sixers on their home floor, particularly with the motivation of facing an undermanned Knicks team in the first round.

It also looks primed for a big night from Philly’s star duo. Tyrese Maxey was on a tear to finish the regular season, passing this line in four of his last five games, including dropping 37 against the Heat. With Maxey and Embiid working so seamlessly together in their two-man game, it makes sense taking Embiid’s assists over, too.

The Cameroonian averaged 5.6 dimes per game this season. Miami will sell out on stopping him with a lot of zone – he had 15 assists over his last two games in the regular year.

76ers vs Heat Game Info

• Stadium: Wells Fargo Center
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Start time: 00:00 UK time

Philadelphia 76ers News, Injury Report, Schedule: Waiting on Melton’s Fitness

Robert Covington is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Joel Embiid practiced on Monday, but De’Anthony Melton did not. Melton’s presence gives the Sixers more flexibility in their guard rotation, though they have been very competitive without him.

Philly won their last eight regular season games to ensure they had home advantage for the Play-In. Missing the six seed was a bit of a disappointment, but the bracket has fallen nicely if they can overcome the Heat on Wednesday night.

Elite at both ends of the floor when Embiid is on the court, the Sixers might not have a better chance to end their Conference Finals drought if they can get past the Heat.

Miami Heat News, Injury Report, Schedule: Never Write off the Heat

Unlike the Sixers, Miami had a few losses down the stretch. They fell to Philly, Indiana and Dallas in April, and could be without several rotation players with Josh Richardson, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, and Terry Rozier all appearing on the injury report.

Yes, Miami has repeatedly shown they can ramp it up for the Playoffs, but this team feels like a less intimidating opponent than in past years. Jimmy Butler was also going through the motions for much of the regular season – what can he deliver in Philly on Wednesday?

It would be foolish for anyone to write off this Heat team with what they’ve shown over the last few years. Their 19-27 record against teams above .500 doesn’t inspire much confidence, though.

76ers vs Heat H2H: History Favours Miami

The Heat have a 71-67 advantage over the Sixers in the all-time series. Philadelphia has also lost nine of the 16 postseason matchups, but they split the season series 2-2, including the Sixers’ pivotal win over Miami earlier this month.

The teams last met in the 2022 Playoffs, with the Heat winning the series in six games amid a James Harden meltdown and another Joel Embiid injury.

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