76ers vs. Heat: Miami Tries to Extend Home Winning Streak to 16 Games on Tuesday Night

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
Tuesday, 4/3/12, 7:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Miami -9
Current Betting Line: Miami -8
Opening Total: 184
Current Total: 184
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra wasn't happy about his team's performance against the Boston Celtics last time out

Philadelphia has been very inconsistent in alternating wins and losses over its last eight games, as it heads out on the road after capturing a 95-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks as seven-point home favorites on Saturday. The 76ers needed that victory in a big way after dropping a 97-76 affair to the Washington Wizards as eight-point road favorites the night before. “It’s how you respond to a loss like that,” commented 76ers forward Elton Brand. “We have to have this win.” He definitely let his play do the talking, scoring a season-high 25 points versus the Hawks. Philadelphia is 4-10 ATS as an underdog this year.

The 76ers have lost 12 of their last 14 games versus the Heat, including the last 10 meetings. Philadelphia has managed to score 100-plus points just once in its last 14 opportunities in the series. In losing the first three games versus tonight’s opponent during the 2011-12 campaign, the team has averaged just 83.0 points per game, while allowing 98.7 a contest. Sixth man Lou Williams will need to have a big night on the offensive end, as he’s averaging a team-high 15.7 points versus Miami this year.

Miami returns to the AmericanAirlines Arena with a bad taste in its mouth after suffering a 91-72 loss to the Boston Celtics as four-point road favorites on Sunday. The Heat have actually lost three of their last five games overall, while the “over” is 3-2 in that span. “This game was unacceptable,” commented Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “We will fix it together.” Playing in tonight’s venue will likely get the squad on the right track, as it looks to continue its 15-game home winning streak. Miami is 5-1 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points this year.

The Heat have won by double digits in 15 of their last 19 victories overall, as they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 11.0 points over the course of their current win streak. Miami is led offensively by star forward LeBron James, who is averaging 26.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He is coming off a 23-point performance versus the Celtics, but went without an assist for just the second time in his career.