2011 NBA Playoffs – 76ers vs Heat Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview

2011 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs – Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview: Entering the 2011 season the Miami Heat were on the short list of teams capable of winning it all, while nobody really knew what to expect from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat had some ups and downs, but in the end, Miami secured the No. 2 seed in the East and appears capable of making a run at the title. The Sixers made the postseason as well after a solid second half of the year, but for a team that barely avoided a losing record, the expectations are a little different as the first round of the playoffs approach. The Heat have been installed as a -1800 favorite(odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) to win the series.

When LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in Miami this past offseason, the talk of a dynasty immediately began. However, the three superstars to adjust to one another, particularly in close games. It took a terrible stretch of loses, including blowing a 22-point lead against Orlando, for the Heat to finally gel. Miami has been knocking off any and all comers since, securing the No.2 seed with a blowout win against the Boston Celtics.

The Sixers were expected to be led by Andre Iguodala and No. 2 pick in the NBA draft Evan Turner. Iguodala has been a leader, but after struggling to adjust to life in the NBA, Turner became nothing more than a bench player by the middle of the season. However, a resurgent year from veteran Elton Brand and the maturity of point guard Jrue Holiday have been just enough to make up for Turner’s disappointment and get Philadelphia into the playoffs.

Getting into the playoffs and winning in the playoffs are two totally different things, and the Sixers are about to find that out. Philadelphia lost all three games versus the Heat during the regular season, and all three games were won easily by Miami. Iguodala is Philadelphia’s best player, and he is battling a sore knee. Even at full strength, Iguodala isn’t as good as Wade, James or Bosh. It is awful tough to beat a team for times when your best player would be the fourth-best player on the other team.

That’s not to say the Heat don’t have some weaknesses. Mike Bibby is too slow at the point guard spot to defend the better guards in the league, and Miami doesn’t really have a center. That being said, the Sixers just don’t have the weapons to exploit Miami’s weak points. Holiday is better than Bibby, but he isn’t capable of taking over a game. Brand is more of a finesse big man, and the Heat’s lack of size down low won’t be a factor in this series.

The Heat are in playoff mode and firing on all cylinders. They swept the Sixers during the regular season, and they will look to do the same in the playoffs. Miami is the better team, and with Boston and Chicago lurking in the later rounds, the Heat will want to take care of business and rest up. Check the opening NBA betting lines for 76ers-Heat Game 1 below.

Prediction: Miami Heat Win in 4 Games

NBA Playoffs Series Odds
Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat -1800
Philadelphia 76ers +1000