The Miami Heat have won seven in a row against the Philadelphia 76ers heading into today's opener of their first round playoff series.
The last time the Heat and 76ers clashed on March 27 in Miami the Heat crushed Philadelphia 111-99 as an 8-point favorite. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 39 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Louis Williams had 24 points for the 76ers.
View Philadelphia vs Miami Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Heat are listed as 11-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark, with the total listed at 190.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Heat, currently No. 3 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the 76ers, who rate No. 9 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 106-100 victory for the Heat.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Miami's No. 8-ranked offense (102.1 PPG) against a 76ers defense that ranks No. 12 at 97.5 PPG. The Heat have averaged 48.1% from the field per game, more than the 76ers have managed so far this season (46.1% on average).
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the 76ers own the league's No. 13-rated mark, allowing 99.6 points per game when on the road. Miami, on the other hand, rates No. 10 in home scoring.
Last time out for Philadelphia, they were a 104-100 loser as they battled the Pistons at home. The 76ers failed to cover in the match as a 4.5-point favorite, while 204 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Philadelphia got 21 points from Jrue Holiday but lost anyway 104-100 against the Pistons on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Center.
Miami won its last outing, a 97-79 result against the Raptors on April 13. The Heat covered in that game as a 5-point underdog, while the 176 combined points took the game UNDER the total. Miami got 35 points from Eddie House en route to a 97-79 victory over Toronto on Wednesday at Air Canada Centre.
Philadelphia 76ers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Miami are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
A few 76ers at Heat trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Miami is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia at Miami, Monday, April 18
Miami home to Philadelphia, Monday, April 18
