The Philadelphia 76ers have gotten hot at just the right moment as they take an eight-game winning streak into Wednesday's Eastern Conference Play-In game against the Miami Heat. The 8-seed Heat (46-36), who have won two in a row, have won two of three postseason series against Philadelphia, including a 4-2 win over it in the 2022 East semifinals. The 7-seed 76ers (47-35), who finished third in the Atlantic Division, are 25-16 on their home court. The teams split four games during the regular season with both teams winning one home and one road game. Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable, while Miami lists Terry Rozier (neck) as out.
The game from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia will tip off at 7 p.m. ET. Philadelphia is averaging 114.6 points per game, 15th-best in the league, while Miami averages 110.1, 26th-best. The Sixers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Heat vs. 76ers odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 208. Before making any 76ers vs. Heat picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Heat and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Heat vs. Sixers:
- Heat vs. 76ers spread: Philadelphia -5.5
- Heat vs. 76ers over/under: 208 points
- Heat vs. 76ers money line: Philadelphia -222, Miami +184
- MIA: The Heat have hit the money line in 28 of their last 48 away games (+22.15 units)
- PHI: The 76ers have hit the third-quarter game total under in 40 of their last 62 games (+17.15 units)
- Heat vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Miami seems to bring out the best in power forward Tobias Harris. In 32 career games against the Heat, Harris is averaging 17.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes. In his only action against Miami this season, he scored 27 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists in a 119-113 loss on Dec. 25. For the year, Harris has played in 70 games, all starts, and is averaging 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 33.8 minutes.
Shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. has also taken a liking to playing against the Heat. In four games against them this season, Oubre is averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists, 1.8 blocks and one steal. In a 98-91 win over Miami on March 18, Oubre registered a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. In 68 games, including 52 starts, he is averaging 15.4 points, five rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.2 minutes. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Heat can cover
Last year, Jimmy Butler came alive during the postseason. He is primed to do the same this time around as he finished tied with Tyler Herro as Miami's top scorer during the regular season. In 60 games, all starts, Butler is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, five assists and 1.3 steals in 34 minutes. The small forward has reached double-figure scoring in each of the last nine games, including 27 in a 117-115 loss at Indiana on April 7. He scored 20 points and added five assists and four rebounds in a 109-105 loss to Philadelphia on April 4, the only time he faced them in 2023.
Herro has also been red hot of late, reaching double figures in all six games since returning from injury. He poured in 33 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists in a 117-111 double-overtime win at Atlanta on April 9. In two games against the 76ers this season, he is averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes. For the year, he has started 40 of 42 games, averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, and is connecting on 44.1% of his field goals, including 39.6% from 3-point range, and 85.6% at the foul line. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Heat vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 207 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins 76ers vs. Heat, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that's 88-58 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
