The Miami Heat hosted the Philadelphia 76ers in a rematch from last season’s first round playoff series, which saw the Sixers defeat Miami in five games. The looked to snap a two game losing streak, while Philadelphia looked to cement themselves as a top team in the East, after acquiring Jimmy Butler from Minnesota.
Both teams were neck and neck in the first quarter with their baskets, but Philadelphia would pull away with buckets from Joel Embiid (pronounced Em-beed) and Ben Simmons. By the end of the first quarter, Philadelphia led 32 to 26.
The second quarter saw Miami go on a nineteen to six run, led by a three-point barrage from Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Kelly Olynyk (pronounced Ol-lin-ik), and Tyler Johnson. Miami was leading 46 to 44, but the momentum shifted back to the Sixers, who went on a twelve to four run, led by Furkan Korkmaz (pronounced For-kan Cork-mas) and Simmons. Miami would go on a short run, going seven unanswered as they drew close into Philadelphia’s lead. By halftime, the Sixers led 64 to 62.
Embiid and J.J. Redick came out firing on all cylinders for Philadelphia as the third quarter began. With the Sixers leading 74 to 68, they looked to increased their lead, but Miami continued to fight as Rodney McGruder and Bam Adebayo (pronounced Ah-de-buy-yo) came off the bench and contributed buckets. By the end of the third quarter, Philadelphia led 96 to 90.
The Heat looked to rally back from its deficit in the fourth quarter with three pointers from Tyler Johnson and Ellington, but the Sixers were also knocking down three-pointers of their own from Embiid and Korkmaz, plus post baskets from Simmons and Redick. Philadelphia were on a seven to nothing run, furthering their lead over Miami. The Sixers would cruise towards a 124 to 114 win.
Miami started off aggressively in the first half, but once again, it would all turn against them, this time placing Whiteside, Adebayo, and Olynyk in foul trouble, especially when guarding Embiid. With Miami losing three games in a row, many questions about their abilities and their will to win are definitely coming into play.
For the 76ers, J.J. Redick had 25 points, Furkan Korkmaz with 16 points, Ben Simmons and Mike Muscala made 13 points each, Landry Shamet had 10 points and Joel Embiid with a double-double of 35 points and 18 rebounds.
For the Heat, Goran Dragic had 22 points, Josh Richardson made 17 points, Wayne Ellington with 14 points, Kelly Olynyk knocked down 13 points, Tyler Johnson had 12 points, and Hassan Whiteside with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Heat hit the road as they face the Brooklyn Nets. Game starts Wednesday at 7pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports.
The Heat Check Magazine 