- Date & Location: Thursday, May 12, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
The Miami Heat earned their spot in the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Semifinals by defeating the Atlanta Hawks in five games. Miami finished the 2022 NBA regular season with a record of 53-29 and that was the best in the conference. With that, the team secured a home-court advantage throughout the conference portion of the NBA playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers moved onto the second round of the 2022 NBA postseason by topping the Toronto Raptors in a six-game series.
Miami won the first two games of the series (106-92 and 119-103) in Miami but dropped the next two when the series moved to Philadelphia. The 76ers won on their home court 99-79 and 116-108. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Heat and 76ers headed back to Miami for Game 5. The Heat won that game 120-85. Tonight, in Game 6, the Heat look to close out the series while the 76ers hope to extend things to Game 7.
Before we look at Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoff Series between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers, check out the odds for the 2022 NBA Playoffs and our guide to betting on the NBA.
Heat vs. 76ers picks
Miami Heat breakdown and analysis
The Miami Heat remained undefeated at home against the Philadelphia 76ers in their NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal series, winning Game 5. The Heat defeated Philadelphia by a score of 120-85. With the win, Miami moved to within one victory of closing out the series.
Each of Miami’s five starters scored more than 10 points, and two players contributed double digits off the bench. Jimmy Butler led the way with 23 points in 35 minutes of play, and Max Strus contributed a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
If Philadelphia had any momentum from their two wins at home, it disappeared in this game, as the 35-point winning margin was the biggest in the 2022 NBA playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers breakdown and analysis
Two days after he had his best offensive performance of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, James Harden came up short. Harden, who joined the 76ers via a trade with the Brooklyn Nets late in the season, broke out with 31 points in Game 4. He returned to Earth with 14 points in Game 5.
Joel Embiid’s progress also hit a speed bump. Embiid returned to action in Game 3 after he suffered a broken orbital bone. He put up 18 points in Game 3 and followed that with 24 in Game 4 on 38 minutes of play. Embiid was limited to 17 points and 33 minutes in Game 5. His 17 points led the 76ers.
The 76ers need their best players to contribute if they hope to extend this series past tonight’s Game 6. None of those starters were on the court for the final 8:18 of the game, so maybe they will be rested for Game 6.
Our pick
It looks like the 76ers have hit a wall. The team is struggling, and now is not the time for that to happen. Miami will be motivated to close things out, and I think they will be able to take advantage of a team that is on its heels and struggling.
Pick: Miami Heat to beat Philadelphia 76ers.
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