Miami at Philadelphia

Time: 6 PM CT (NBA LP)

Spread: PHI -5.5

Total: 219

Odds c.o. 5dimes

MIA TEAM NOTES:

The Miami Heat are four games below .500, but it still is situated No. 9 in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Detroit Pistons, who own the tiebreaker currently. The Heat have lost six of its last 10 though.

Miami has six players averaging double-figure scoring but it still musters just 104.9 points per game. Leading scorer Josh Richardson averages 17.3 points but he is inefficient at a PER of just 14.15. Goran Dragic has seen a similar theme for his season with a 15.3 point scoring average but a PER under the league average at just 13.40. Dwyane Wade is making his final tour through the NBA and providing perhaps more than most thought he would with his 13.8 points per game in just 25 minutes a night.

The Heat are still trying to figure out how to get out from under the contract of center Hassan Whiteside, who at this point appears mostly to be an impediment to the development of second-year center Bam Adebayo.

Adebayo has displayed some “point-center” skills and is averaging eight points per game, but he is seeing just 22 minutes per game as Whiteside commands 25.5 per night as the starting center. Miami has some talent and moveable parts, but it is unclear whether the Heat can improve much with its current roster. The Offense has been weak, and the defensive efforts of Erik Spoelstra’s club are futile without a much better offensive attack.

PHI TEAM NOTES:

The Philadelphia 76ers have won six of its last 10 games. It is currently seeded No. 5 in the East, but it trails Conference-leading Milwaukee by 6.5 games.

Right now, it is simply trying to stay afloat with Simmons responsible for nearly everything with his rag-tag supporting cast. Butler is expected to return from his sprained wrist tonight.

The 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz was dealt to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Simmons plus parts…and Jimmy Butler is a strong addition, but the Sixers have certainly missed the defensive presence Robert Covington gave them (he and Dario Saric were the two key players traded for Butler). The Sixers also are pretty heavily reliant on its top-end talent, and adding depth is not something that should be left out of consideration.

Perhaps, if the team can manage to swing it, a team would be willing to take on Fultz as a “reclamation” project while giving the Sixers some pieces it could use in its second unit. No matter what the case, it is entirely unclear how Fultz fits into any future plans and there are some certain holes on this roster that need addressing after giving up key pieces to acquire Butler this season.

ATS TRENDS (c/o Covers):