Heat vs. 76ers Pick
Can the Miami Heat go on the road and cover against the Philadelphia 76ers when the two meet up tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the 76ers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Heat. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 201 points. The home team has won five straight meetings between these two, but they have yet to meet this season. Tonight’s game takes place from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will air live on ESPN.
Miami is coming off a 91-89 loss at Cleveland to snap a two-game win streak. The Heat are now 29-22 overall, 13-10 at home and 24-24-3 against the spread. Miami is averaging 100.2 points per game this season while allowing 100.9 per contest. Goran Dragic is leading Miami this season with 17 points and 4.8 assists per game while Hassan Whiteside is adding 14.4 points and 11.8 rebounds per contest.
The 76ers have lost three straight games coming into tonight, including a 116-108 loss at Brooklyn. Philadelphia is now 24-24 overall, 12-9 at home and 26-21-1 against the spread. Philadelphia is averaging 107.9 points per game on offense while allowing 106.9 per game on defense. Joel Embiid is averaging 23.8 points and 11 rebounds per game to lead the 76ers while Ben Simmons is adding 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest.
Miami has actually been a better team on the road than at home when it comes to covering. The Heat are 17-10 against the spread this year on the road. Philadelphia hasn’t been consistent all season. While tough at home, I think Whiteside should be able to give Embiid some trouble tonight. Miami has had recent road covers against Cleveland, Dallas, Houston and Charlotte. I see another one tonight. The public betting is backing Philadelphia, but I like the underdog.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: MIAMI HEAT +3.5