Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 3/8/2018

Thursday, March 8, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has Philadelphia as 1 point favorites.

The 76ers come into this game with an overall record of 35-28. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.2 as they are averaging 107.9 points per game while giving up 105.7 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 34-31. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 101.9 points per game and surrendering 102.2, good for a point differential of -0.3.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 35-27-1 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 32-31-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 32-28-5 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 29-34-2 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

01/15/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

03/06/18 G Wayne Ellington Quad is "?" Thursday vs Philadelphia
01/12/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons comes into this game averaging 16.5 points per contest while playing 34.7 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 7.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is 57%. Joel Embiid averages 23.6 points per contest in 31.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 3.2 assists per game and 11.1 rebounds per contest for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic has scored 17.4 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per game this season for the Heat. He hauls in 4.1 rebounds per contest and has 4.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Hassan Whiteside averages 14 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 25.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 11.9 rebounds per game and 0.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 107.9 points per contest this year, which is 10th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.11 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 10th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 46.6 boards per contest and 25.7 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 1st with 17.2 per game. The 76ers allow 105.7 points per contest which is 15th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 5th, and they allow 21.4 assists per game which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 28th in the NBA with 101.9 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.26. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 19th in the NBA in rebounding with 43 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 22.2. The Heat are 12th in turnovers per contest with 14.7. The Heat give up 102.2 points per game, which ranks them 4th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20.5 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 42.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Heat are 8th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 106.2, and their offensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 25th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 8th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 8th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Heat are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 106.7 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Miami +1

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