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Heat go for 7th straight series win over Philly
PHILADELPHIA 76ers (37-34)
at MIAMI HEAT (49-22)
Tip-off: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -8.5, Total: 195.5
Two teams looking to solidify their playoff spots in the Eastern Conference meet in Miami on Friday night when the 76ers travel to take on the Heat. These teams would be a first-round matchup if the standings didn’t change for the rest of the season. Miami is just 1½ games behind the Celtics for second in the East, while the 76ers are two games ahead of the Knicks for sixth place, and 2½ games behind the Hawks for fifth.
Philadelphia has been one of the best teams ATS overall in the NBA this season, posting a 43-27 record. The Sixers are also 22-14 ATS on the road, which ranks in the top five. They have really taken off since the start of 2011, posting a record of 24-14 after going just 13-20 to start the season. Louis Williams scored 17 points to lead seven players in double figures in defeating the Hawks 105-100 on Wednesday, Philly’s third win in its past four games. Williams is averaging 17.8 PPG over his past six games. Philadelphia has been on fire offensively over its past four games, averaging 103.0 PPG, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from behind the arc.
Miami is 32-37 overall ATS this season, and its 13-22 ATS record at home is the second-worst in the NBA behind Atlanta. Miami has found its way back after losing five straight games, by winning six of its past seven SU. The Heat rallied from an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Pistons on Wednesday night, as Dwyane Wade led the team with 24 points. Chris Bosh scored 23 at Detroit, and is averaging 21.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 54% FG over his past seven games. After averaging 30.3 PPG against Philly last season with the Cavaliers, LeBron James is averaging just 18.0 PPG in two games against the 76ers this season. James is just 10-for-27 from the field in their two meetings this season.
The Heat won both games this season, but both were played before the New Year when Philadelphia was struggling. Miami has also dominated this series of late, winning the last six meetings overall, as well as five straight and 11 of 13 at home (9-4 ATS). However, Philadelphia has played well ATS all season, while the Heat have really struggled, especially at home. I think Miami will win, but Philadelphia will keep it close and cover.
The FoxSheets shows two highly-rated trends siding with the 76ers:
Play Against - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MIAMI) - a good offensive team (98-102 PPG) against an average defensive team (92-98 PPG), after 2 straight wins by 6 points or less. (35-11 since 1996.) (76.1%, +22.9 units. Rating = 3*).
PHILADELPHIA is 24-9 ATS (72.7%, +14.1 Units) after having won 2 of their last 3 games this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 101.8, OPPONENT 97.8 - (Rating = 3*).
PHILADELPHIA 76ers (37-34)
at MIAMI HEAT (49-22)
Tip-off: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -8.5, Total: 195.5
Two teams looking to solidify their playoff spots in the Eastern Conference meet in Miami on Friday night when the 76ers travel to take on the Heat. These teams would be a first-round matchup if the standings didn’t change for the rest of the season. Miami is just 1½ games behind the Celtics for second in the East, while the 76ers are two games ahead of the Knicks for sixth place, and 2½ games behind the Hawks for fifth.
Philadelphia has been one of the best teams ATS overall in the NBA this season, posting a 43-27 record. The Sixers are also 22-14 ATS on the road, which ranks in the top five. They have really taken off since the start of 2011, posting a record of 24-14 after going just 13-20 to start the season. Louis Williams scored 17 points to lead seven players in double figures in defeating the Hawks 105-100 on Wednesday, Philly’s third win in its past four games. Williams is averaging 17.8 PPG over his past six games. Philadelphia has been on fire offensively over its past four games, averaging 103.0 PPG, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from behind the arc.
Miami is 32-37 overall ATS this season, and its 13-22 ATS record at home is the second-worst in the NBA behind Atlanta. Miami has found its way back after losing five straight games, by winning six of its past seven SU. The Heat rallied from an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Pistons on Wednesday night, as Dwyane Wade led the team with 24 points. Chris Bosh scored 23 at Detroit, and is averaging 21.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 54% FG over his past seven games. After averaging 30.3 PPG against Philly last season with the Cavaliers, LeBron James is averaging just 18.0 PPG in two games against the 76ers this season. James is just 10-for-27 from the field in their two meetings this season.
The Heat won both games this season, but both were played before the New Year when Philadelphia was struggling. Miami has also dominated this series of late, winning the last six meetings overall, as well as five straight and 11 of 13 at home (9-4 ATS). However, Philadelphia has played well ATS all season, while the Heat have really struggled, especially at home. I think Miami will win, but Philadelphia will keep it close and cover.
The FoxSheets shows two highly-rated trends siding with the 76ers:
Play Against - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MIAMI) - a good offensive team (98-102 PPG) against an average defensive team (92-98 PPG), after 2 straight wins by 6 points or less. (35-11 since 1996.) (76.1%, +22.9 units. Rating = 3*).
PHILADELPHIA is 24-9 ATS (72.7%, +14.1 Units) after having won 2 of their last 3 games this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 101.8, OPPONENT 97.8 - (Rating = 3*).
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