Eastern Conference Playoffs Pick: Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers, 4–14–2018
Free NBA Spread Pick by George Hampton of King Sports Picks
Miami Heat (44–38) vs Philadelphia 76ers (52–30)
Saturday April 14th, 8:00 PM EST
Line: Sixers -7, 212
The #3 seed Philadelphia 76ers will host the 6th seed Miami Heat Saturday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Playoff series. These teams split the season series (2–2) this season with the Heat winning the last game, 108–99 on March 8th.
Miami got a confidence boost heading into the Playoffs after beating the #1 seed Toronto Raptors, 116–109 in OT on Wednesday. The Heat will rely on their 7’0” center Hassan Whiteside with Joel Embiid expected to miss at least Game 1. Whiteside has been solid in the four meetings with Philly in the regular season in which he put up 15.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. In the Heat’s last matchup vs Philadelphia with Embiid out, Whiteside dropped 26 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. The Heat were 40–36–6 ATS this season and 17–23 Away.
The Sixers are the hottest team in the NBA after winning 16 straight games to close out the regular season. Potential Rookie of the Year winner, Ben Simmons has taken the league by storm and is a triple-double threat each time he steps on the court. His court vision and passing skills are rivaled by few in the NBA and he has been the impact player Philadelphia needed when Embiid went down. The Sixers have veteran leadership and a good mix of youth that create an exciting brand of basketball.
As hot as the Sixers are playing, they will have their hands full with this Miami Heat team. Whiteside could create some matchup issues down in the block with Embiid out. The Sixers didn’t have an answer for him during their last meeting. Philadelphia has a true home court advantage going (30–10) at home during the regular season. The home crowd will be rocking for the first playoff game in Philadelphia since the 2011–12. I like the Sixers to win this game but it won’t be easy and I think -7 points is too many to lay in this first matchup without Embiid. I’ll take the +7 points and back the Heat to keep it close.
Heat vs Sixers Pick: Miami Heat +7
