Miami and Philadelphia are NBA franchises on escalators. Philly is a team trending upward. The 76ers best days are yet to come. For the Heat its been a matter of staving off inevitable decline. LeBron James departure was the beginning of the end. However, those betting on NBA Games will focus on the now. After losing game one the Heat showed resilience in game two. But does Miami have staying power for a seven-game series? Sixer backers point to their youth. But Joel Embiid’s fractured face remains the biggest problem. A critical game four is set for Saturday.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat Game 4
Date and Time: Saturday, April 21, 2018, 2:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami Florida
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers | -3 (-110) | 215 (-110) |  |
| Heat | +3 (-110) | 215 (-110) | |
| |||
76ers vs. Heat TV Coverage: TNT
Series so Far
Game five of this series will take place at Philadelphia. Sixers center Joel Embiid remains questionable with a fractured face. Embiid may be the betting on NBA Games series key. Philadelphia was led by Embiid’s 23 points and 11 rebounds per game. Scoring depth is not a problem for the Sixers. Six other players averaged double digits for them this year. Most impressive about the 76ers is where they came from. Only a couple of seasons ago they were humiliated with a 10-72 record.
Philadelphia
New leadership saved the 76ers franchise. Bryan Colangelo took over as general manager after Philly hit rock bottom. A proven basketball man he knows how to conduct an eye test. Analytics would supplement instead of dominate direction. Brett Brown is quite a story as head coach. Taking over in 2013-14 he was coach during that ten-win season. Yet he survived to win 52 games this year. He was a long-time aid with San Antonio during their championship years.
Erik Spoelstra
Head coach Erik Spoelstra won NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 with the Heat. Led by LeBron James and the “Three Kings” Spoelstra certainly had the horses. Yet now he may have more respect for what he has done since James departed. Making the most of what he has, defense emerged as the focal point. Offensively the Heat ranked a poor 23rd in the NBA for scoring. Defensively they ranked fourth in the Association. And that defense is what gained the playoffs.
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade scored 28 points to spark the Heat’s game two win. If offense is to be found by Miami Wade would be a logical possibility. However, that would also be largely based on his past. This year Wade averaged a career low 11 points per game. Career wise his average is 23 points per game.
Team vs Team
Miami has posted four sportsbook payouts in their last five home games with the Sixers. Over the total has hit in six of the last eight in this series at Miami.
Matchup to Watch
Embiid is such a huge factor for betting on NBA Games with. Should he answer the bell he makes the Sixers the clearly superior team. But even without him Philly is arguably better. For offense the Heat must hope Wade can play like he is five years younger. Depth is the Philadelphia matchup advantage.
76ers vs. Heat NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Philadelphia will get a good price on the road and is the call.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: 76ers 101, Heat 95