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

Prediction published on 07/05/2022, 20:39  by Joseph King | Modified on 08/05/2022 at 03:40 in Basketball Predictions

A pivotal game four in the Eastern Conference semifinals between the top-seeded Miami Heat and the fourth-seed Philadelphia 76ers is set to tip off on Sunday. The Sixers will be looking to defend their home court and even the series up at 2-2 after losing games one and two in Miami. Philadelphia received a huge boost in game three as center and MVP candidate Joel Embiid made a surprise return to the starting lineup after it looked like he would miss out for a fourth consecutive playoff game due to suffering a concussion and right orbital fracture in the Toronto series. Embiid, equipped with a black protective facemask, chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes in the 99-79 blowout win to give Philadelphia their first win of the series.

This is essentially a must-win game for the Sixers if they want any chance of advancing to their first Eastern Conference finals since the Allen Iverson led 2001 team. A loss would mean a 3-1 series deficit heading back to Miami and a hole that only 13 teams in NBA history have been able to dig themselves out of. The good news for Philadelphia is that it looks like they will be able to count on Joel Embiid and his presence on the court seemed to provide a morale boost to the rest of the squad, despite the 28-year-old not being at his best. Embiid is battling a number of injuries: in addition to the fractured bone in his face and recent concussion, he has also been dealing with a torn ligament in his thumb that will require surgery when the season is over. Embiid, even at 70%, is enough for Philadelphia to make this a competitive series and possibly even win it.