NBA 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Sixers vs. Heat Betting Prediction for Game #1
Second Round NBA Playoff action resumes Monday night with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals as the Philadelphia 76ers (1) take on the Miami Heat (4). Coverage begins from FTX Arena in Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Lines
Moneyline: Miami -350
Spread: Miami -7.5
Total: 208.5
Miami and Philadelphia split a four-game set 2-2 SU this year. However, Miami has not faced the Sixers since they acquired PG James Harden, who averaged 19 points and 10.1 assists per game in the first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
Round two gets underway for Miami and Philadelphia tonight, so let’s start out the series with a winning bet. Join us as we dive into our Eastern Conference semifinals Sixers vs. Heat Betting Prediction for Game #1.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers come into the Heat series after a convincing 132-97 victory over Toronto in game 6, but that victory cost them center Joel Embiid.
The All-Star and MVP candidate is dealing with many injuries, including a torn ligament in his right thumb, a concussion, and an orbital fracture from when Toronto’s Pascal Siakam elbowed him late in Game 6. Embiid is expected to return for Game 3 in this series. The Sixers went 6-8 SU without Embiid during the regular season.
Veteran DeAndre Jordan will likely replace Embiid at the center. Jordan averaged a career-low 13 minutes per game this season and will be tasked more minutes for at least the first two series games. In addition, guards Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Danny Green, and former NBA MVP James Harden will all be called upon to fill in the scoring gap left by the loss of Embiid.
The Sixers finished the season ranked 8th in scoring at 113.7 PPG; defensively, Philly allowed 110.5 PPG, good for 12th in the league.
Miami Heat
The Heat dispatched the scrappy Atlanta Hawks in their first round matchup. Miami outscored the Hawks 109.4 PPG on average to Atlanta’s 97.4 PPG to secure the series win in 5 games.
Forward Jimmy Butler (knee), who missed Game 5 of the Heat’s first-round series win against the Atlanta Hawks, practiced Saturday and will likely return to face the Sixers in Game 1. Butler impressed against Atlanta, averaging over 30 points per game in helping his team advance. Sharpshooter Tyler Herro (non-COVID illness) averaged a lowly 12 PPG on 39% shooting from the field against Atlanta and will need to play better against the Sixers, is expected back for the series opener. PG Kyle Lowry (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Game 1.
Forward Max Strus should see a minutes increase in this series. Strus was promoted into the starting lineup late in the season and immediately contributed, averaging over 16 PPG as a starter. He was Miami’s second-leading scorer behind Butler in the Atlanta series, averaging over 14 points per game.
The Heat finished the season ranked 11th in scoring at 113.4 PPG; defensively, Miami allowed 108.2 PPG, good for 4th in the league.
Pick
The Miami Heat are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games. I expect that trend to continue against a Sixers team that will be without Joel Embid on the road. I’ll gladly take Miami Heat (1H) -4.5 and full game -7.5
*** Both of these teams play at a plodding pace, 26th and 28th in the league, respectively. Therefore, I got strong lean on the UNDERS throughout the series (especially in games 1 & 2 without Embid)
Enjoy the game and remember to bet responsibly.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok for more free picks.
Let us know what you think of our Eastern Conference semifinals Game 1 Heat vs. Sixers Prediction.
