It was a playoff-like atmosphere in the American Airlines Arena last night as the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers played a very important game, which involved the Eastern Conference standings. The 76ers had won the last two outings against the Heat on their home court, including a game on Valentine’s Day. Needless to say, a lot was riding for both teams, especially for the Heat, who got back Rodney McGruder and Kelly Olynyk (pronounced Ol-lin-nik) from injury.
The game got off to a close start until Miami went on a ten to two run. The Sixers would take back the lead, going on a sixteen to three run well into the second quarter. The Heat would put a stop to the Sixers’ scoring run, scoring sixteen unanswered points. A three-pointer from Dwyane Wade would draw Miami close within the Sixers’ lead at halftime, with Philadelphia leading 48 to 45.
In the second half, both teams exchanged a barrage of three-pointers as Tyler Johnson and Goran Dragić knocked down a few of them to tie the game for Miami, while Joel Embiid (pronounced Em-beed) and Robert Covington did the same for the Sixers. Dario Saric (pronounced Sar-rich) provided much of the offense for Philadelphia, leading them on an eleven to two run. Miami mounted another rally towards the end of the third quarter, which included a three-pointer from Wade. With the Sixers leading 75 to 73 heading into the fourth quarter, both teams continued knocking down the three-pointers, but it would be a basket from Richaun Holmes to put Philadelphia ahead 86 to 76. Miami would go on an thirteen to three run to tie the game at 89, Saric would put the Sixers ahead 92 to 89, after making two free throws. In the closing moments of the game, Wade led the offensive charge for Miami against Embiid and Simmons. Wade knocked down a game winning basket to give the Heat a close 102 to 101 win.
It was a close and intense game for both teams, but for the Heat, this was a victory that meant to their playoff aspirations. For one thing, the Heat are now a game behind the Sixers for seventh place in the East, plus the Heat have the fourth easiest schedule heading down the stretch. Another would have to be the fact that Miami now have fresh bodies back from injuries in Rodney McGruder, who sat out during the majority of the season, and Kelly Olynyk, who had a shoulder injury and sat out for a few games.
”There’s something about Dwyane Wade when you put that Miami Heat jersey on and play in front of these fans,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ”He becomes somebody that is very special.”
For the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid had 23 points, Dario Saric made a total of 21 points, J.J. Redick with 15 points, Marco Belinelli scored 13 points, and Ben Simmons logged in 11 points.
For the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade led the way with 27 points, Goran Dragić had 21 points, Tyler Johnson made 16 points, and Hassan Whiteside with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Heat host the Los Angeles Lakers. Game starts Thursday at 7:30pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.
The Heat Check Magazine 