NBA Pick: 76ers -4.5 (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The top-rated sportsbooks have released their NBA odds for Wednesday’s game between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers.
For your best bets, I will recommend investing in the Philadelphia 76ers for this matchup.
To get a detailed breakdown and preview of today’s NBA matchups, be sure to tune in to Bookmakers Review’s YouTube channel. Today, our expert covered the Lakers vs. Pelicans and Warriors vs. Kings games.
If you’re thinking about wagering on more games, keep reading for a thorough analysis.
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center
Joel Embiid’s Importance
Philadelphia is only in this position because of bad injury luck, the misfortune that star center Joel Embiid has had to miss so many games.
The 76ers are figuring out how to win without him. They enter this game having won eight in a row, some of which without Embiid. But they are where they are because they had struggled to win without him. On the season, Philadelphia is 31-8 with Embiid.
With Embiid, the 76ers are a top-level team, not one that, on a neutral floor, would apparently be favored by less than a basket against this Heat team – at home tonight, the 76ers are favored by 4.5 points.
Defending Embiid
Miami lacks the size and skill inside to contain Embiid. This is evident in Philadelphia’s four-point win in Miami in which Embiid scored 39 points.
Having to devote extra attention to Embiid inside, the Heat make themselves more vulnerable to Philadelphia’s remaining scoring talent.
We know about the rising star Tyrese Maxey who is scoring 30 points per game in April. But Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris also deserve mention as efficient additional scoring options. Among other areas, these players pose a threat behind the arc, especially given the attention that Embiid draws inside.
Miami is already vulnerable behind the arc – the Heat allow the most open three-point attempts per game.
Too Much Firepower
Philadelphia will have too much firepower in this game. The Heat rank 21st in offensive rating, meaning that they lack the consistent productivity on offense to be trusted to possess the ability to keep pace with Philadelphia.
The 76ers aren’t going to allow the Heat to do much offensively. Three-time All-Defensive Team selection Embiid is a top-level rim protector, and the 76ers are one of the best teams at limiting three-point shots and makes.
Especially with Jimmy Butler declining offensively, Miami lacks the star power on offense to pose a threat to Philly.
NBA Pick: 76ers -4.5 (-115) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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