Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat Game 5 Betting Preview/Prop Picks

We’ve come to Game 5 of this series, and it’s currently tied at 2-2. Tonight, the Philadelphia 76ers will return to Miami, needing to win at least one game. If they can pull off a single win either in Game 5 or Game 6, they can force a Game 7.

Game 7 will be played in Philadelphia, where the 76ers went 2-0. One of our main questions is whether Joel Embiid is good to go.

The Miami Heat lost back-to-back games and lost momentum. Not only that, their injury list continues to grow. With injuries piling up and momentum switching, the Heat need to do something fast.

If they don’t, the 76ers could win one or both of these games and eliminate them from the playoffs. Let’s look at each of these teams and come up with the best pick for today.

Philadelphia 76ers: Embiid listed as “day-to-day”

At this point, we’d assume that Joel Embiid will, in fact, play tonight. He was listed as questionable in Game 4 and took the court with a facemask. Tonight, we expect to see Embiid again and dominating the interior as well.

Looking back at Game 4, a player that really emerged was James Harden. Harden put up 31 points on his own, along with nine assists for the 76ers. 

Tonight, we’ll need to see a combined effort from both Embiid and Harden. If Tyrese Maxey can get involved, that would increase the 76ers chances. Although they’re on the road versus the Heat, the 76ers are 27-14 when traveling.

The 76ers come into this game as three-point underdogs after winning Game 4. So, how can the Miami Heat stave off Philadelphia?

Miami Heat: Five players currently listed on the injury report

This is a worst-case scenario for the Heat, considering Embiid is back for the 76ers. Tyler Herro and PJ Tucker, who are both starters, are on the report. After losing the last two games of this series, the Heat are low on momentum.

The good news for them is that they’re back at home today. If they can get a win here, they can swing the momentum back in their favor.

However, you have to remember that the Heat are a small team. Bam Adebayo, who is 6’9” 255 LBS, guarding Joel Embiid, 7’0” 280 LBS is a massive size disadvantage.

This is why Embiid has been able to take over the interior and force his will against Miami. Tonight, we don’t see this changing, even if the Heat is playing on their home court.

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat Betting Pick

After looking at the lineups and injuries for each team, our bet is on the 76ers. They come in as three-point underdogs, which only sweetens the wager.

When Embiid was in the lineup for Game 3, they beat the Miami Heat by 20 points. If James Harden can have a similar game to his Game 4 outing, the 76ers will win this easily. 

When betting on the total, we’d recommend taking the under here. The 76ers have been physically dominant over the Miami Heat, keeping the scores low. In six of Philadelphia’s last nine games, the total has gone under.

DunkelIndex Free Pick: Philadelphia 76ers +3, UNDER

Prop Picks

Miami (-110) UNDER 105.5 Points

Philadelphia is allowing 107.3 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 8 in the league. That average decreases to 96.4 points per game in the Sixers’ last five wins. Scores have gone UNDER in four of the Sixers’ last five games in Miami.

With Dunkel predicting a Philadelphia victory by the score of 105-101, take the Heat (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 105.5 points against the Sixers.

P.J. Tucker (-110) UNDER 6.5 Points

Tucker averaged 7.6 points per game in 71 games during the regular season, which ranked No. 10 on the Heat. That average decreased to 5.2 points per game after the All-Star break.

With Dunkel predicting the final score UNDER the Vegas game total, take Tucker (-110) to finish UNDER his Vegas point total of 6.5 points against the Sixers.

Be sure to check out all our Daily NBA Picks!