The 2024 NBA Playoffs are set to begin on Tuesday night, but the action in the Eastern Conference will begin on Wednesday night. In the 7th place vs 8th place game in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to host the Miami Heat.
Miami comes into this game with an overall record of 46-36, but that was only good enough for 8th place in the Eastern Conference. The Heat did end the year by winning three of their last four games and that will give them some momentum ahead of this matchup.
Philadelphia had a very interesting season, and they are coming into this game with an overall record of 47-35 on the year. The Sixers are coming into this game on a long winning streak as well, and that will give them some momentum.
The Philadelphia 76ers are slim 4.5-point betting favorites in this game, and the over/under line is set at 207.5 total points.
Heat Want to Be Tough
The Miami Heat have had a ton of recent success in the NBA Playoffs, and this team plays a very tough brand of basketball. Miami is scoring just 110 points per game, but that can be more than enough based on how this team wants to play.
The Heat do have Tyler Herro back in the mix now, and he is more than capable of making enough shots to carry Miami on a big run. Jimmy Butler is another player that steps up in the postseason, and he will have the ball in his hands a ton.
If Miami is going to win this game then they are going to have to find a way to slow down Embiid and make enough shots to pull off the upset.
Philadelphia Riding Embiid
Now that Joel Embiid is back in the fold for the Philadelphia 76ers, this team is going to ride the former MVP in this game. Embiid is scoring 34.7 points per game this season, and the Heat don’t seem to have an answer for this team.
Tyrese Maxey has developed into a star for this team as well, and he is now capable of taking over a game as well. The Sixers will be looking to win this game on offense, and they appear to have the weapons to get it done.
Philadelphia has had some trouble getting stops at times this year, but having Embiid on the floor can help with that aspect as well.
Sixers Get Seventh Seed
The Philadelphia 76ers should not be in this position, but injuries kept them from being one of the best teams in the conference this season. Philadelphia is a team with one of the best players in the league, and they are also playing this game on their home floor.
Miami is still likely going to find a way to be in the postseason this year, but they will look ahead and prepare to beat the winner of the other game. The Heat just aren’t reliable enough on offense, and they won’t have an answer for Joel Embiid in this game.
Bet the Philadelphia 76ers at -4.5 to win this game outright, and taking the over 207.5 total points is another great betting option to explore as well.
