NBA Playoffs 2022 on Friday, 13.05.2022
In my opinion, the series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat comes to an end tonight. Because the last defeat of the Sixers was so heavy that there must be talk of a real class difference.
Shortly after such a heavy defeat, I see little chance of restoring the morale of the home side in such a short time! The crowd will be cheering Philadelphia on, but in my 76ers Heat tip the decision has already been made in favour of the visitors.
There’s probably a reason why the Heat finished the Western Conference in first place with a record of (53-29). Because the show of force in Game 5 of the Series against the Sixers didn’t happen by accident!
This time even Joel Embiid could not do anything on the other side! The home side’s defence was so solid that the visitors from Philadelphia only scored 70 points with eight minutes to go.
Only then did the Floridians loosen their grip a little and allow the 76ers more space. Otherwise, the already crystal-clear 120-85 victory would have been much higher. Was that it for the Blue and Whites? I think so!
The Heat have to travel to Philadelphia again, but they have a match point in their luggage, which provides additional pressure on the side of the opponent. But regardless of that, the dismantling in Game 5 was already a real neck-snap!
The Heat announced shortly before the start of the game that Kyle Lowry would be out with thigh problems. Vincent started in his place, otherwise the Floridians were on the floor with their usual starting five.
However, this time the performance was much more convincing – especially from the three-point line, where Miami had not been very successful so far. But in the last game, Miami already collected as many three-pointers at the break as in the entire Game 4 (7).
The Heat were just more determined and confident than in the previous two games. I don’t know what coach Erik Spoelstra told his guys in the pregame dressing room talk, but it definitely had an effect.
On the floor, meanwhile, it was noticeable that the Floridians tried to make the game fast at every opportunity they got – especially when the Sixers lost the ball, which resulted in a total of 22 points! The 76ers did not handle that well!
The Phillies have a squad that is not particularly well stocked in terms of width anyway – in contrast to the Heat. Miami can therefore handle an energy-sapping game with a lot of tempo much better than Philadelphia.
Another cornerstone of the Heat’s success was certainly Jimmy Butler, who seamlessly continued his performances from the last two games and was the main reason why the opponent did not happen at all in the two-point range.
The momentum is clearly on the side of the Floridians at the moment, which in my opinion will carry them straight into the Conference Finals.
And then there’s James Harden, who I liked in the penultimate game, but now seems to be falling victim to one of his usual “playoff slumps”.
Once again, I will not put my trust in the Sixers’ guard, as he simply disappoints much more often than he convinces in the postseason!
Finally, according to the current 76ers Heat forecasts, the home side are the slight favourites with odds of 1.70 on average. However, I personally don’t quite agree with this assessment!
Conclusion: Defensively, Miami was outstanding in the last game! In addition, the team knew how to make the game fast at every opportunity to upset the Sixers.
One of the Heat’s most important weaknesses has also been closed – namely their miserable performance from distance so far. On the other hand, nobody in Philadelphia reached normal form in Game 5.
Least of all James Harden, who is once again providing his critics with plenty of fodder, as he simply does not deliver consistently in the playoffs. In my eyes, the Blue and Whites don’t really believe in advancing any more.
My 76ers Heat tip is: Miami closes the bag!
