Heat Continues Quest to Reach Third in NBA Eastern Conference

The NBA Eastern Conference has a battle between one team certain for a lottery pick in the NBA draft and one team battling for a playoff berth, when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Miami Heat. The current line has Miami favored by 9.5 points.

Entering the game, Philadelphia has the worst overall record in the league at 8-54 straight up and 27-34 against the spread. The 76ers on the road are 3-29 SU and 15-17 ATS.

Miami on the season has a record of 36-36 SU and 34-27 ATS. At home, the Heat is 20-12 SU and 17-14 ATS.

Miami has adjusted to the loss of Chris Bosh it’s All-Star forward and is looking for its fifth straight win on Sunday. The Heat is 7-2 since Bosh was sidelined with blood clots. On Friday, the Heat and 76ers met in Philadelphia with Miami winning 112-102.

During Miami’s four-game winning streak Dwayne Wade the Heat’s veteran guard is scoring 23 points per games, while Hassan Whiteside Miami’s talented center is averaging 18.5 points and 15.2 boards during his past 8 games played.

Philadelphia in Friday’s game did not have Jahlil Okafor its leading scorer, Nerlens Noel or Nik Stauskas and Kendal Marshall. All four players were sidelined with injuries and all four are NOT expected back for Sunday’s matchup.

Elton Brand a veteran forward debuted this season for Philadelphia on Friday, but his minutes were limited as were those of Hollis Thompson and T.J. McConnell as they return from injuries.

Miami has seen the production of guard Goran Dragic increase of late as he is averaging 18.1 points and 7.3 assists over his past five games. New signing Joe Johnson is averaging 14 points a game in his four games with Miami.

Miami is 4-0 SU over its past four games head to head with Philadelphia.

Miami is second in the NBA in points allowed at 96.6 per game, while Philadelphia is last in the league in scoring per game at 96.5.

Rookie forward Richaun Holmes for the 76ers hit 5 of his 7 shots on Friday to score 13 points while grabbing 8 rebounds, his season high.

Philadelphia has covered the number in 3 of its past 4 games played in Miami.

The visiting team has covered the number in 12 of the past 16 games between the two teams.

Prediction: Miami has won four straight while Philadelphia is going through injury problems and has more or less packed it in for the season. Lean toward the Heat..