Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 01/05/2022, 19:36  by Joseph King | Modified on 02/05/2022 at 02:36 in Basketball Predictions

The Eastern Conference semifinals is set to tip off when the top-seed Miami Heat host the fourth-seed Philadelphia 76ers at the FTX Arena for game one of this best of seven series. The story dominating the headlines leading up to this one has been the injury suffered by 76ers star big man Joel Embiid. The MVP candidate took a Pascal Siakam elbow to the face in the game six first round win, resulting in a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion. Embiid has been listed as “out indefinitely” but recent news has hinted that he could see a return to court as early as game three when the series heads back to Philadelphia. The Sixers advanced to this matchup after overcoming the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the first round while the Miami Heat are coming off a 4-1 series win against the Atlanta Hawks. 

The loss of Embiid is, of course, a major blow for Philadelphia. However, this is still a talented team with a number of players capable of creating their own shot. James Harden, acquired midseason through a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, will become the focal point with Embiid not on the court and while he hasn’t yet lived up to his MVP winning form of a few seasons ago, the 32-year-old is still one of the best offensive players the league has ever seen. Philadelphia have two other great pieces in Tyrese Maxey, who broke out with 21.3 points per game on an efficient 51% shooting and 40% from three in the first round, and Tobias Harris who has been a consistent scorer throughout his career and is shooting 43% from beyond the arc this playoffs.