Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Sixers will play the first game of their second-round series without Joel Embiid
• Kyle Lowry will be unavailable for the Heat when they play Game 1 against the Heat
• The series is currently tied 0-0

Sixers vs Heat Odds

Head-to-Head: Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat

Injury Report

How Can the Sixers Beat the Heat?

The Philadelphia 76ers have a big task on their hands when they take on the Miami Heat. Without Joel Embiid in the lineup, Philadelphia have even less room for error against one of the NBA’s best defences.

Through 6 games against the Toronto Raptors, the Sixers averaged 13.3 turnovers per game, with more than half of their 80 total turnovers coming from just Embiid and Harden. They’ll need to be wary of Miami’s perimeter defence, as they forced 16.4 turnovers in 5 games against the Hawks.

Telling of their offensive issues, the Sixers committed 37 turnovers in their two first-round losses. Without Embiid on the court, Philadelphia must maximize their opportunities by taking care of the ball.

Sixers Key Player: (G) James Harden

JAMES HARDEN IS HYPED. pic.twitter.com/6LKbsGwAYK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2022

With Joel Embiid unavailable to open the series, the obvious focus for the Philadelphia 76ers will be star guard James Harden. He was conservative in regards to his scoring in Philadelphia’s first-round series, but he’ll need to step up against the Heat.

In Harden’s first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 19.0 points, 10.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 40.5 minutes per game. Harden took a backseat to Maxey and Embiid in the first round, but he can’t afford to be passive against the Heat.

Miami were able to hold their first-round opponents to just 44.0% from the field and 32.6% from three. Harden’s individual play will be the key to unlocking Miami’s tough defence.

How Can the Heat Beat the Sixers?

The Miami Heat will be up against one of the league’s hotter offences through the first round of the NBA Playoffs. In order to stop Philadelphia, Miami will need to limit the efficiency of their drive-and-kick game.

Without Embiid in the lineup, the Heat may have a slightly easier time on defence. However, due to the speed, scoring, and playmaking of Maxey and Harden, they can’t take the Sixers’ offence lightly. Philadelphia shot 48.8% from the field and 40.8% from three in the first round, against one of the NBA’s top defences.

Miami need to be in strong defensive form to beat the Sixers. The versatility of the Heat’s defenders should help them, but they can’t get complacent just because Embiid is out. Limiting the paint first will help Miami slow down Philly’s shooters.

Heat Key Player: (G) Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro is so smooth. ?

pic.twitter.com/SXHKLu9EG1

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 27, 2022

The Miami Heat will need their offence to take a jump to keep up with Philadelphia’s scoring pace. All eyes will be on scoring ace Tyler Herro, who struggled in Miami’s first-round series against the Hawks.

Herro is coming off of one of his poorer runs of form. In Miami’s five-game series against the Hawks, Herro posted just 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 39.1% shooting from the field and 17.9% from three-point range.

With Kyle Lowry unavailable to open their series against the Sixers, Herro will be looked at to fill the role of playmaker on top of his regular scoring duties. If he can’t find his range this series, Miami’s defence will not be enough to keep up with the Sixers.

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