Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers
The Heat head to Philadelphia with a comfortable 2-0 series lead after dominating Game 1 & 2 in Miami. In Game 2, the Heat shot 51% from the field and also were efficient from beyond the arc at 48%. Adebayo scored 23 pts in Game 2 and is averaging 23.5 pts in the series. He's obviously enjoyed life without Embiid. Jimmy Butler was quiet in Game 1 with 15 pts but responded in Game 2 with 22 pts and 12 assists. Meanwhile, Herro and Oladipo added 37 combined points off the bench. The Heat don't have a great record in Philadelphia but the no Embiid factor is a big difference-maker at the moment.
After back to back defeats in Miami, the 76ers will need to get back on track this Saturday. Joel Embiid is still out with a concussion and their offence has struggled as a result. They're averaging just 94 points per game and have found it difficult to keep up the pace with the Heat. However, a bright spot in Game 2 was Tyrese Maxey as he finished with 34 pts and hit 12 of 22 field goals. But otherwise, the likes of Harris and Harden only combined for 41 pts. They're now 1-4 in their last 5 games and need to step up at home.
The odds are in the Heat's favour and home-court advantage shouldn't change much in this series unless Embiid can return soon. The Heat have also won 11 of their last 15 road games and hold a 5-2 ATS record against the 76ers.
Stadium Record
The 76ers are 5-1 in their last 6 home games. The Heat hold a poor 3-11 record in Philadelphia.
Head to Head Record
The Heat are 2-0 in this series and lead the head to head 6-4 since 2020.
Best Bet
Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks
The Suns are up 2-0 in the series and will head to Dallas with confidence. They come off a 129-109 win over the Mavericks in Game 2 and the Booker/Paul combination was the key. The pair combined for 58 pts as Booker hit the 30 point mark and Paul fell just short with 28 pts. As a result of their dominance, Ayton had a quiet game with just 9 pts and only played 18 minutes. But that mean's he'll be well-rested for Game 3. The Suns are tough to beat at home but their road record is also very good. They've covered in 4 of their last 5 away from Phoenix and also hold a 9-1 ATS record in Dallas. So a 3-0 series lead beckons if the trend continues.
Similarly to the 76ers, the Mavericks will need to turn it around on their home court after struggling in Phoenix. Doncic can't go much else after scoring 45 and 35 pts in the first two games of the series. But as usual, his teammates couldn't match his efforts. Brunson continued his quiet series with just 9 pts and finished 3 of 12 from the field. But Reggie Bullock showed some form with 16 pts and 4 threes. Bertans also hit 3 threes off the bench in his 19 minutes of action.
The market is giving the Mavericks a big change on their home court but the Suns have a great record in Dallas. They've covered in 9 of their last 10 at this venue and will be coming in with a lot of momentum after winning Game 1 & 2. Unless Doncic can get some help on offence, the Suns should make it 3-0.
Stadium Record
The Mavs are 8-1 in their last 9 at home. The Suns have won 4 of their last 5 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Phoenix holds a 2-0 series lead and have won the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
