Heat Loses Preseason Finale in Kansas City Against Sixers

The Miami Heat closed their preseason on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Heading into this game, the Heat would be without Goran Dragic and Josh Richardson.

In the first quarter, Jerryd Bayless and Ben Simmons got Philadelphia going on offense with a layup each, followed by a three-pointer from J.J. Redick, while Wayne Ellington, Hassan Whiteside, and Dion Waiters would do the same for Miami, tying the game at 10. After a another pair of three-pointers from Bayless and Redick, plus a basket from Joel Embiid, the Sixers would go on a nine to nothing run as they led 19 to 10. Philadelphia’s scoring run would increase to thirteen as Simmons and Jahlil Okafor, only for it to end by a Tyler Johnson three-pointer for Miami, followed by a three-pointer from James Johnson and free throws from Justise Winslow. With Philadelphia leading 29 to 22, Dario Saric (pronounced Sar-rich) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (pronounced Lu-wa-wu Ca-ba-rot) carried the offense for the Sixers towards the end of the first quarter as they led 34 to 29.

In the second quarter, Miami’s offense looked solid early on as Jordan Mickey, James Johnson, and Waiters knocked down some shots, but the Sixers would answer back with scoring from Simmons and Redick. With Philly leading 47 to 40, Redick, Bayless, and Luwawu-Cabarrot would increase the Sixers’ lead to 56 over Miami’s 45. The Sixers continued their stronghold on offense towards the second quarter as they led 69 to 45.

Into the third quarter, Miami looked to jump start their offense by utilizing defense, thanks to blocks from Bam Adebayo (pronounced Ah-de-buy-yo) and James Johnson. While it looked like the Heat were getting on the right track, it would be the Sixers’ offense that would derail Miami’s chances of getting back in the game, knocking down open threes and getting into the paint with layups from Nik Stauskas (pronounced Stows-Kaas) and Jahlil Okafor. By the end of the end of the third quarter, Philadelphia led 97 to 75.

As the fourth quarter commenced, Miami looked for a lift on the offensive end from Adebayo, DeAndre Liggins,  and Derrick Walton Jr., while contending against Stauskas and James Michael McAdoo. Emeka Okafor would also contribute for the Sixers with a slam dunk, followed by a pair of three-pointers from Jacob Pullen and Justin Blackmon. The Sixers would go on to win the game 119 to 95.

And so, the preseason is over for the Miami Heat and they will now head into the regular season against Orlando on Wednesday. The Philadelphia 76ers took advantage of the three-point line, mainly from J.J. Redick. The Sixers also got some production out of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. If the Sixers’ style of play is any indication, it could mean that the process will pay off this season, leading them into the playoffs.

For the Heat, Bam Adebayo, James Johnson, and Dion Waiters scored 13 points each, Justise Winslow with 10 points, and Jordan Mickey 12 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Sixers, J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons led the way with 19 points, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 17 points, and Nik Stauskas with 11 points.

The Miami Heat begins its 30th NBA Season as they face the Orlando Magic. That game starts Wednesday at 7pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.