The Philadelphia 76ers lost the one player they could least afford to lose and it cost them in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Miami Heat. Without Joel Embiid the Sixers were abused 106-92 and they’ll be without their MVP candidate when the clubs convene for Game 2 on Wednesday night. With the win the Heat improved to 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS on their home court this preseason.
76ers vs Miami Heat Date & Time (Game 2)
The NBA playoff Game 2 matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat takes place on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 and will air live on TNT with tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET from FTX Arena in Miami.
76ers vs Miami Heat Odds (Game 2)
Philadelphia 76ers +9 | Miami Heat -9 [BET NOW]
Over/Under: 206.5 [BET NOW]
Odds Analysis
The Sixers have to figure a few things out if they want to even the series. Embiid didn’t even make the trip to Miami so we won’t see him on Wednesday, unless something miraculous happens in his recovery from an orbital fracture and concussion. The Sixers fell to 6-9 this season in games without Embiid. Philly got 7.5-points on the closing line for Game 1 failing to cover the spread. Oddsmakers upped the opening line to Philly +9.5 for Game 2. After winning the first three games of their first-round series, the Sixers are just 1-3 SU and ATS since. They fell to 2-2 SU and ATS on the road this postseason.
Miami is dealing with injury issues of their own but have overcome the absence of Kyle Lowry to improve to 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in the playoffs. Miami had the best home record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season going 29-12 SU and 21-20 ATS. They’ve been dominant at FTX Arena so far beating Atlanta three times in the first round and taking the opener in this series. The Heat are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS with three of the victories and every payout coming by double figures. Miami used a balanced attack all season to put up the best record in the East thus earning homecourt advantage.
Philadelphia 76ers
Take the likely MVP off the floor and a team is going to struggle. Embiid’s absence was felt on both ends with Bam Adebayo doing anything he wanted on the offense end for Miami while the Sixers put up their second-lowest point total in seven playoff games. Philly is planning at least one more game without Embiid meaning they will need more from his replacement DeAndre Jordan and everyone else. Jordan started Monday’s game making both his field goal attempts, but he was minus-22 in a little over 17 minutes. In all it was a poor shooting night for the Sixers from deep with just six triples in 34 tries.
The Sixers have bounced back in the postseason. They dropped Game 5 of the Toronto series 103-88 at home only to go on the road with a dominant closeout performance in a 132-97 win. Embiid was a big reason for that scoring 33 points on 12 of 18 shooting before getting injured. With guys like James Harden, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers are more than capable of having success without Embiid.
Miami Heat
Playing a contender without its best player is an opportunity the Heat can’t let escape. They took care of business in Game 1 but they can’t get comfortable. And I don’t think they will. Miami was an underdog all season; not included among the best in the East before the campaign opened. All they did was win 53 games finishing ahead of Philly, Boston and the defending champ Bucks by two games in the standings. They did that by not backing down from a challenge and getting contributions up and down the roster.
Seven players averaged double-figure scoring during the regular season and five have dropped at least 10 a game in the playoffs. And the points come from everywhere. Tyler Herro was the hero on Monday with a playoff career-best 25 points on 4 of 6 three-point shooting. Adebayo took advantage of Embiid’s absence making 8 of 10 shots for 24 points with 12 boards. Leading scorer Jimmy Butler was averaging over 30 points before Monday’s game but tallied just 15. That shows you how balanced the Heat are on the offensive end.
76ers vs Heat Predictions
The teams were nearly even during the regular season series with each splitting games on their home floor. However, with increased intensity during the postseason the Sixers are minus their biggest gun and I don’t think the Heat are too keen on letting the chance to go up two games slip away from them. Miami plays solid defense to begin with and taking a bushel of points off the floor impacts the Sixers.
Prediction: Miami Heat -9 and UNDER 206.5
