Philadelphia was the most impressive surprise team this season. Emerging from a dark period the 76ers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Bottoming out with a ten-win season in 2016 Bryan Colangelo came to the rescue afterwards. Analytics geeks ruined the team. Colangelo used common basketball sense to save it. Their NBA betting online turnaround has been stunning. Just two years from the ashes has come a 52-win season. Miami has been in decline since LeBron James decided to go home to Cleveland. Strong defense covered for an anemic Heat offense to gain the playoffs.
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Date and Time: Monday, April 16, 2018, 8 p.m. Eastern
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | +6½ (-110) | 215½ (-110) |  |
| 76ers | -6½ (-110) | 215½ (-110) | |
| |||
Heat vs. 76ers TV Coverage: TNT
Philadelphia Wins Game 1
Philadelphia destroyed Miami 130-103 in game one of this best of seven series. JJ Redick led with 28 points. Dario Saric added 20 points and six rebounds. Miami’s offense was shut down impressively. Goran Dragic led the Heat starters with a modest 15 points. Games three and four will be in Miami.
Philadelphia
What is most impressive about Philadelphia is that they are built to last. Their best years remain ahead of them. Most important to gamblers was their reliability at Wells Fargo Center. High profits were made with 27 payouts in 41 home games. Head coach Brett Brown coordinated a balanced team. Philly ranked seventh for scoring offense and 11th for points allowed. Good form is shown with seven payouts in their last ten games. What threatens the Sixers prospects most is an injury to their best player. Center Joel Embiid’s fractured face could imperil what where promising playoff prospects.
Miami
Offense was not a NBA betting online strength for Miami this season. Ranked 23rd in the Association for scoring it was defense that was their salvation. Heat post season prospects were saved by allowing the fourth fewest points in the league. Head coach Eric Spoelstra was labeled a young genius when he had James and the Three Kings. Now he has to scramble like every other NBA coach. To his credit the Heat had to play hard to achieve dominant defense.
Team vs. Team
The Heat and 76ers have split their last eight sportsbook matchups vs. the line. Thee of their last four meetings went under the total. Wells Fargo Center has seen Philly get the money in three of their last four vs. Miami. Over the total has paid at Philadelphia in five of the last seven between these teams. Embiid is questionable for game two.
Matchup to Watch
76ers fans have to feel good about the game one cover. Any doubts about Philadelphia’s ability without Embiid were silenced. Miami’s NBA betting online weaknesses were clearly exposed. Matchup wise the Heat’s lack of scoring depth is a severe handicap. And the Sixers proved they are more than a one man team. Game one was a powerful statement for both teams. Eric Spoelstra has spent all year trying in vain to find scoring.
Heat vs. 76ers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Philadelphia ignited plenty of potential momentum in game one. Miami’s dreadful offense does not bode well for them here.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: 76ers 116, Heat 101
Check out highlights of the 76ers game one win!