NBA Playoffs: First-Round Matchup Projections
(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (6) Miami Heat
This might be the Philadelphia 76ers' (52-30) first postseason appearance in six years, but they're coming back in with a bang. Not only do they have the league's fourth-best nERD (62.8) and margin of victory (4.50), but they're riding a 16-game win streak into the first round of the playoffs.
Their opponent, the Miami Heat (44-38), are scrappy enough to take a game or two in this series, but ultimately, their 17th-ranked nERD (50.7) suggests that they're not quite on the Sixers' level and aren't all that likely of pulling off an upset.
| Outcome | (3) Philadelphia 76ers | (6) Miami Heat |
|---|---|---|
| Win in 4 | 9.17% | 3.49% |
| Win in 5 | 20.67% | 6.60% |
| Win in 6 | 16.38% | 13.87% |
| Win in 7 | 19.60% | 10.22% |
| Win series | 65.82% | 34.18% |
