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Heat vs 76ers odds, picks and predictions: Is the wrong team favored?
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against Tyrese Maxey (0) of the Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Here's everything you need to know about Heat vs. 76ers on Monday, Mar. 18 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game.

Heat vs. 76ers tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The 76ers are 2.5-point favorites (-2.5) and the total is set at over/under 208.5 at most sportsbooks.

Read on for my Heat vs. 76ers pick and prediction.


Heat vs. 76ers Odds

Monday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Heat Odds
Spread Over/Under Moneyline
+2.5
-110
208.5
-110 / -110
+120
76ers Odds
Spread Over/Under Moneyline
-2.5
-110
208.5
-110 / -110
-142

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.


Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are coming into this game on the third game of a road trip and the second leg of a back to back after stealing a win against the Detroit Pistons. Bam Adebayo hit a deep three at the buzzer to avoid overtime in their most recent outing.

Jimmy Butler, Jovic, and Kevin Love missed the game and their injury determination should be questionable. I tend to think Butler will play and was resting the first leg of the tight schedule spot.

The Heat have a clear talent, health (and subsequently depth), and coaching advantage in this contest, but they lack home court and have a rest disadvantage.

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Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are in total free fall right now. They are 10-22 without Joel Embiid this season, which includes dropping five of the last seven.

The only two recent wins are against the bottom feeder Charlotte Hornets, and a strange 79-73 win against the New York Knicks.

The 76ers are also expected to be without Tobias Harris tonight, while key role players in Robert Covington and De'Anthony Melton continue to miss time as well.

This will be the Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre show, which is a tough task against the physical Miami defense. Ultimately, I think the 76ers are bound to drop another one.


Heat vs. 76ers

Betting Pick & Prediction

The spread for this game opened at Heat +5, and it was quickly scooped up and taken off the board. There has been significant Miami steam, likely also related to the news Tobias Harris is expected to miss, and Jimmy Butler is likely returning.

Now the spread is Miami Heat +2, and since it has moved through some key numbers (5 & 4),  getting +2 on the spread does not hold much value. One and two are the 11th and 8th most common outcomes in NBA games.

At this point, forego the spread and just take the +odds on the Heat ML.

Double check at shoot around for notes confirming Jimmy Butler is participating. Remember, Butler has had masterpieces in Philly and walked to the locker room screaming, "Tobias Harris over me?!"

Pick: Heat ML (+120)

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