76ers vs. Heat Game 1 NBA Playoffs Odds and Preview – May 2nd, 2022

By Carlos Chacon • May 2, 2022

The Sixers and the Heat progress to the Western Conference Semis. They meet at the FTX Arena for Game 1 on Monday night. Doc Rivers and the rest of his squad are coming off a six-game series with the Toronto Raptors, while the Heat had an easier route to the second round following a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Nitrobetting is more than ready for the postseason. Find a full preview of the 76ers vs. Heat game below. We present you with game details, team and player stats, the latest NBA betting odds, trends, and predictions–all of which help you lock in on the best picks.

76ers vs. Heat Game 1 Information

When: Monday, May 2, 2022, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: TNT
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic (76ers) / 790 AM The Ticket (Heat)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
NBA Betting Odds: 76ers (+7.5) / Heat (-7.5)

Why Bet on the Philadelphia 76ers?

The Sixers are averaging 111.5 points per game in the playoffs. Joel Embiid has been the team’s talisman since the season started. He averaged 26.2 points per game since the postseason. However, the big man is out indefinitely with a facial fracture and a mild concussion that could leave vulnerable areas. This will demand more scoring production from James Harden alongside Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris. Maxey has been the second-best scorer for the Sixers, averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 assists.

We’ve seen solid shooting come from the Sixers in the playoffs, averaging 48.8% from the field and an incredible 40.8% from deep. Speaking of solid, Nitrobetting has some tasty Bitcoin Squares contests for Game 1 of 76ers vs. Heat.

The Sixers stayed reliable from the line and hit 84.9% of their free throws. They also record impressive ball movement and average 24 assists per game, with James Harden leading the team in assists with 10.2 dishes per game.

Paul Reed is likely to fill in for the injured Joel Embiid. Although he hasn’t seen much playing time in the playoffs, the 22-year-old needs to step up against a more commanding Heat lineup. Meanwhile, the rest of the core lineup is good to go.

Why Bet on the Miami Heat?

Miami had more time to rest after sending the Hawks home early in the first round. As a team, they average 109.4 points per game and are shooting 46.5% from the field in the last five games. Jimmy Butler holds the team-high record in points with 30.5 per game. Right behind him is Victor Oladipo with 14.5 points. Meanwhile, Max Strus, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo are the three other players that average double-digits for the Heat in the last five games.

The Heat shot 34.4% from deep and 78.3% from the line. We’ve seen great ball movement come from the squad in the playoffs as they document 25.4 assists per game. Kyle Lowry leads the team in assists with 5.3 per game. He also tops the lineup in blocks with one per game.

What might hold the team back from its full potential is an overflowing injury report. Four starters, including Jimmy Butler (knee), Max Strus (hamstring), and P.J. Tucker (calf), await game-time decision. Additionally, Tyler Herro (illness) and Caleb Martin (ankle) hope to get a green light before game night.

76ers vs. Heat Betting Trends

The Sixers are 3-2 in the last five playoff games on the road (3-2 ATS).
The Sixers are 5-5 in the last ten road games (5-5 ATS).
The totals went over in five of the Sixers’ last ten road games.
The Heat are 3-2 in the last five playoff games at FTX Arena (2-3 ATS).
The Heat are 3-2 in the last five home games against the Sixers (1-4 ATS).
The totals went under in four of the Heat’s last five home playoff games.

76ers vs. Heat Expert Betting Prediction

The Sixers weren’t exactly dominating against the Raptors in the opening round. We expect the team to struggle without Joel Embiid, which is a massive hit to the lineup. The Miami Heat are well-rested and have more time to prepare. They also have more defenders to throw at the duo of James Harden and Tyrese Maxey.

The injury report also takes a toll on the team, but home advantage and a stronger showing in Round 1 make them the favorites in this contest. Erik Spoelstra has all the tools to pressure the Sixers defensively. But, the visitors won’t go down easy as they can still threaten to cover the spread and stay close enough to snatch a victory.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.