The NBA Playoffs took a one-day break but there are no breaks for the players that participate in this intense affair. In the East, the Celtics tied it against the Bucks, in the West, the Warriors and Grizzlies are excitingly tied at one, but the Suns have risen up for a two-nil lead. And then there is another team with a two-nil lead in the Miami Heat that will visit the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Will Embiid return to help out the 76ers’ cause as their offense keeps floundering?
Bet on Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat
Best bets on 76ers vs Heat
Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet suggest that the Heat is the favorite here despite playing away from home as they have been given the odds of 1.65 to win. The Heat has completed two one-sided wins and unless Embiid returns for the 76ers, the prospects look dire for the home squad and they will have to play out of their skins for sure. If Embiid plays, I’d see the 76ers as the faovrites and if he doesn’t, I lean towards the Heat with a handicap of at least -3.5 (Handicap 2 -4.5 for 2.12)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.83 for Bam Adebayo going Over 18.5 Points here(At least 19 Points). With Embiid out of the fray, Adebayo has scored 23 and 24 in the last two games which means he is getting a lot of open lanes to operate. If Embiid doesn’t play here again, I see another big scoring night from Bam. That’s why I am leaning “Over” here (Player Props: Player Points: Bam Adebayo Over 18.5 for 1.83)
Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet believe that the total of 210 (Over/Under) has the identical odds of 1.92. The last two games have reached 198 and 222 meaning we have had two contrasting affairs, although it must be pointed out that the Heat touched 106 in the first game while they scored 119 in the next, with the 76ers not being able to go past 103 more than once. I believe this will be a lower scoring game than the last one but still lean “Over” here. (Total Over 210.5 for 2.00)
Where to Watch 76ers vs Heat
This match is available on the NBA League Pass.
Miami Heat
The Heat’s defense has become a tough code to crack during the Postseason. They have allowed teams to dictate terms at all and their perimeter defense has been especially dutiful. After making the 76ers shoot below 20% in Game 1, the Heat limited the opposition to below 27% in Game 2, once again showing their defensive strengths. While the 76ers did a much better of cutting down on turnovers. The Heat did a fantastic job of shooting the ball, clicking on 48% of their three-point attempts while shooting over 50% from the field. Herro, Oladipo, Butler, and Adebayo were in 18-23 points range which makes for a terrific balance scoring-wise. The Heat turned it over 14 times compared to 8 by the 76ers but they did well to strike on 25 free throws compared to 19 by the 76ers. The overall balance has returned after a sub-par scoring balance during the Hawks series.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philly will need to make their open shots from beyond the arc because, in absence of Embiid, they have lacked someone who can open up lanes score from different areas, and attract multiple defenders. Harden has been especially from the three-point line, shooing1/5 in the last game after clicking on just 2 of his seven attempts in Game 1, which has been a huge concern throughout the Playoffs. Maxey bundled up 34 points while Tobias Harris scored 21 points but apart from these two, no one could even reach 10 points. The 76ers will need to plug in the Heat’s offense like they at least did in Game 1 but it seems like that without Embiid, both ends have been compromised. I wonder how the team will respond against Heat’s pressure and switch-heavy defense? Will Embiid play here?
76ers vs Heat: possible lineups
- Heat most likely starting five: PG: Gabe Vincent | SG: Max Strus | SF: Jimmy Butler | PF: PJ Tucker | C: Bam Adebayo;
- Key Bench Player: Victor Oladipo, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, DeWayne Dedmon;
- 76ers most likely starting five: PG: James Harden | G: Tyrese Maxey | SF: Danny Green | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Deandre Jordan;
- Key Bench Players: Georges Niang, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton.
