After 82 regular season games, the NBA playoff field is set, and play-in tournament games will be played this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
This article will focus on Wednesday's Eastern Conference matchup. There, the 76ers will take on the Heat in his No. 7 vs. No. 8 game, and the Bulls will host the Hawks in his No. 9 vs. No. 8 game. 10 games.
Here's an overview and betting recommendations for Wednesday's two games.
Heat vs. 76ers predictions
| team | spread | money line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| heat | +4.5 (-106) | +164 | o207.5 (-110) |
| 76ers | -4.5 (-114) | -196 | o207.5 (-110) |
The 76ers started 29-14 and looked like one of the best teams in the league. Joel Embiid was the favorite to win back-to-back MVP awards until he injured his knee against the Warriors on January 30th.
Embiid has recovered from surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but in Embiid's absence, the 76ers went just 11-18, falling to eighth in the conference with a 40-35 record.
Since Embiid's return, the 76ers have won all five games in which Embiid has played and are 31-8 this season with Embiid playing.
Miami split the season series with Philadelphia, but Embiid only played in one game, a 109-105 road win for the 76ers.
The Heat are usually a team you never want to completely fire, as they save their best efforts for the postseason.
After finishing as the No. 7 seed last year and losing in the first play-in game, Miami capitalized on its second chance to qualify for the playoffs with a 102-91 win over the No. 10 Bulls, sending the Heat to the top two. I pushed it up. NBA Finals.
The 76ers are a formidable team with Embiid on the court, so something similar could happen with Miami having to win Game 2 in the play-in to advance.
As a result, a 76ers moneyline bet still offers some value, even at the current high price.
Recommendation: 76ers ML (-190, BetRivers)
Hawks vs. Bulls predictions
| team | spread | money line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| hawks | +3 (-108) | +126 | o220.5 (-110) |
| Bull | -3 (-112) | -148 | u220.5 (-110) |
Chicago won the regular season series against Atlanta by a 2-1 margin.
Hawks point guard Trae Young (25.7 PPG) played in the final three games of the season after missing 6 1/2 weeks with a torn ligament in his left hand. However, Atlanta lost all three of those games.
Even if Young returns to the team, the Hawks will be without three other key players: Jalen Johnson (16.0 PPG), Saddiq Bey (13.7 PPG) and Onyeka Okongwu (10.2 PPG).
Bey is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, and if the Hawks can make a deep run, Johnson (ankle) and Okongwu (toe) won't be back until May.
Things to remember: Short favorites of 3.5 points or less are a perfect 6-0 against the spread in play-in tournaments, so Chicago -3 is definitely in play.
Another option that could offer some value is Atlanta's team total of 108.5 points. Despite falling 2-1 in the season series, the Hawks scored at least 113 points in all three games.
Additionally, in last year's play-in game, Atlanta faced a Heat team that, like the Bulls, played at a slower pace, but the Hawks still scored 116 points.
Chicago has struggled defensively on the perimeter, ranking 29th in opponent 3-point field goals, while Atlanta ranks 6th in 3-pointers made. Those numbers should work in the Hawks' favor over their team total of 108.5.
