Both Boston and Memphis evened their respective series back up on Tuesday night, as the Celtics ran the Bucks off the floor early and the Grizzlies out-lasted the Warriors behind Ja Morant’s 47 points. Now the attention turns to Miami and Phoenix, as the two road teams, the 76ers, and Mavericks, look to get back on track and even up the series in their own rights.
Let’s take a closer look at both and see where the value remains ahead of tonight’s tip-off.
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#1. Heat -8.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
It was a tough start for Joel Embiid’s replacement in the starting lineup, DeAndre Jordan, as the former Clipper finished the game with a +/- of -22 in 17 minutes of action in the series opener Monday. With Embiid still out while dealing with an orbital fracture and concussion, things won’t get any easier tonight and the spread indicates as much, with the Heat 1-point bigger favorites.
Speaking of those Heat, recently crowned Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro dropped 25 points off the bench Monday, outscoring the entire 76ers bench in the process. Look for a similar result tonight in Miami, as the Heat look to apply the pressure with Embiid remaining on the sideline.
#2. 76ers-Heat Under 207.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Even when Embiid was in the lineups, the 76ers have had a propensity for under. Looking back over their past six games, the under has cashed five times as James Harden continues to be a shell of his former self on both ends of the floor.
For the Heat, while I do expect them to cover tonight, they aren’t exactly the pinnacle of health at the moment themselves. In addition to Kyle Lowry being out (hamstring), Herro (ankle), Max Strus (hamstring), PJ Tucker (calf), and Gabe Vincent (knee) are all listed as questionable. Look for another low-scoring affair in this one.
#3. Mavericks +6 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
If Luka Doncic had even a smidge of help in Game 1 on Monday, a game in which he scored 45 points to go along with 12 boards, the Mavericks could very well be sitting up 1-0 and in control of this series. Outscoring the rest of the starters combined, the Mavericks need Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to get rolling tonight, and I think we see just that from a Suns team who showed cracks late, allowing the Mavs to rally from 21 down to make this one competitive late.
Devin Booker continued to struggle following missing three games in Round 1, going 7-of-20 from the field as DeAndre Ayton once again picked up the slack for the Suns. While I expect the Suns to get another one at home, I like for a close game throughout and for Doncic to have the game in his hands late.
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