Heat vs 76ers Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and NBA odds for Heat vs 76ers. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.

Slumping Sixers Struggling at Home

The Toronto Raptors were the latest team to leave Wells Fargo Center with a win.

The 76ers have now dropped three of their last four games in front of their fans, all of which have come against playoff-caliber opposition.

That’s certainly cause for concern given the limited time the team has to figure things out and was the biggest reason for skepticism around the team’s ceiling when the blockbuster trade for James Harden was made.

Harden himself continues to struggle to close out games as a Sixer and that’s something that will continue to fall under the microscope with each passing game.

In their loss to the Raptors, Harden missed a pair of free throws with his team trailing 87-86 in the closing stages. He then missed a layup inside the final minute before finishing the game with an offensive foul and turnover to help seal the win for Toronto.

The Sixers are now 1-5 ATS in their last six outings and the team’s offensive struggles in the clutch are becoming a key talking point as teams begin to prepare for playoff basketball.

Coach Doc Rivers has publicly stated that he will look to rest Harden and Joel Embiid where possible on back-to-backs, but the debate on whether that’s in the team’s best interest remains at large.

It’s clear the duo need the reps to try and find the level of consistency required from them throughout the duration of the playoffs, but the health of both stars are paramount to any potential success the team might have in the postseason.

Heat Remain Model of Consistency

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the Miami Heat this season, it’s that the team will show up every night regardless of who is or isn’t available.

Erik Spoelstra has had to deal with a plethora of absences from his starting unit all season long, with Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo all missing extended periods for the Heat this season.

Even during their recent run of games, when the team won six of their last eight, they’ve only had their starting five available on three occasions.

That is partly why, despite picking up wins, the Heat have gone 1-4 ATS in their last five starts.

One thing we’ve spoken about at length on the BetUS NBA Show is that the team’s multiple defensive lineups and looks are what make them such an incredibly tough team to have to face on a nightly basis in the regular season.

Spoelstra has shown himself willing to have his team line up in different zone coverages in games to help halt an opponent’s run, and that’s something that a team like Philadelphia will struggle to break down given the inconsistency that already exists in that offensive unit.

The Heat have been completely dominant against Eastern Conference opponents, going 30-13 straight up in conference games with an average margin of +5.5 points. They’re 24-18-1 ATS in those games.

Heat vs 76ers Head-to-Head

The Miami Heat were emphatic winners when these teams met earlier this month, winning 99-82 at home.

The Heat also ran out winners the last time these teams met at this venue as they secured a 101-96 win in Philadelphia in December. The 76ers did secure a road win in between those two Miami wins, winning 109-98 in January.

Heat vs 76ers Game Information

• Game: Miami Heat (47-24) vs Philadelphia 76ers (43-27)
• Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
• Day/Time: Monday 7:30 p.m. ET
• Live stream: NBA Game Pass

Heat vs 76ers Betting Lines

Heat vs 76ers Prediction

The Heat are the polar opposite of what the current version of the 76ers are: efficient offensively, resolute defensively and reliable in crunch time.

The biggest market influencer here is going to be player availability – something that’s become a common theme throughout the NBA season and one that’s made life difficult for sportsbook holders to account for at times.

Jimmy Butler is listed as questionable for the Heat and remains the only concern for the visitors. Given their schedule at the moment, the expectation is for him to take the floor, with the more likely scenario being that he misses the team’s home meeting with Golden State on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, as we’ve mentioned already, Rivers has made it known that he’ll be looking to rest Harden and/or Embiid in situations like this.

Harden sat out the last time these sides played earlier this month, with that also being the second of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights. With the schedule situation almost identical (minus the travel), we’d anticipate that Harden or Embiid are again given the night off.

Irrespective of who takes the floor, if you’re betting online, the only way on this game to go on this game is to side with the road team. If either Harden or Embiid sit, I’d have no problem laying up to 5½ points here with the Heat.

Even if both are available, I can see this line settling around 2½ and the value still being with the Heat at a fair price number.

Pick: Miami Heat -1½