The Philadelphia 76ers host the Miami Heat, Thursday April 21st, as the series shifts to Wells Fargo Center for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarter-finals. The Heat lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 and have won nine straight over the 76ers. NBA oddsmakers have the Heat as -4.5 point road favourites over the 76ers with the over/under set at 186 points. Be sure to check the Heat vs 76ers NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Miami (2-0) beat the 76ers in a close Game 1 (97-89) and destroyed them in Game 2 (94-73). LeBron James is healthy. So is Bosh. Dwyane Wade says he's "good to go" after dealing with migraine symptoms. But they can’t get cocky. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra remained cautious immediately after the win. "We don't have anybody up against the ropes," Spoelstra said. "An NBA playoff series doesn't start until somebody wins on the road." Spoelstra mentioned how impressed he was by the Sixers in Game 1, where they led by 14, then trailed by 16, and cut the deficit to one before the Heat prevailed. "The Philadelphia 76ers have our full respect," he said. "If the first game doesn't grab your attention, how dangerous this team is, then you wouldn't get it." The Heat have turned the Sixers into a jump-shooting team. After shooting 14 for 23 from the field in the first quarter of Game 1, the Sixers are 48 for 141 (34 percent) in the next seven.
Philadelphia (0-2) is being viewed as little more than a speed bump on Miami's way to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Coach Collins said his team remains upbeat. But unless they can find a way to shut down James, Wade, and Bosh at the same time, the odds of winning a game remain uphill. "In Game 3, I think their will is at stake here," Bosh said. "They're going to come out fighting, they're going to come out really swinging, especially with that home energy behind them. The Sixers won 26 home games this year — one less than their overall total from a year ago. The Heat haven't flinched as the NBA's top touring act. They led the East and tied for the NBA lead with 28 road victories. Talent always finds a way to win out over location. The Sixers, though, have a roster full of really nice players. Most teams would love to have Lou Wiliams, Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala. They're just not the type of franchise players a team can build a title contender around. In other words, they're not The Big 3. If the Sixers are going to contend against Miami, Boston and Orlando, they'll have to find that LeBron-esque superstar. "We've gone to 41. Now 41 to 50 is another jump," Collins said. "To go plus-14 is big. To go plus-nine is huge. You can't do that by contracting. You've got to do that by adding. Sometimes you can add by subtracting. But eventually you've got to add by adding. We're at a point now where we've got add by adding."
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 18-8 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
Heat are 3-11 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Philadelphia.
Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road favorite.
Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 75 points in their previous game.
Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southeast.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss.
76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Heat vs 76ers
When: Thursday, April 21, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Heat -4.5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Heat vs 76ers game.
The Bottom Line: Home court will help the Sixers, they just won’t win. Be sure to check Heat vs 76ers Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
