Following three wins in a row against the Timberwolves and Celtics, the Miami Heat hosted the presumptive number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Sixers. But, the 76ers will have to wait at least one more game before clinching the top spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This is because Miami earned a demanding 106-94 victory on Thursday night.
Recap
The night was dominated by one headline: the return of Udonis Haslem who played three minutes of action, scoring four points. However, Haslem was ejected for shoving Dwight Howard—who later earned his 16th technical foul of the season and is expected to be suspended for Friday’s game against Orlando. Despite the ejection, the Heat still had great performances off the bench including that of guards Tyler Herro (18 points) and Goran Dragic (15 points).
In addition, it was an all-around great game for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler led the way with 21 points and five rebounds. Bam Adebayo also added a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
In the loss, the Sixers’ had weak performances from their key players. Tobias Harris had 21 points, the most out of anyone on the team. Reserve guard Shake Milton also had a great game, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.
However, Joel Embiid finished with a season-low six points and two rebounds to go with four turnovers in 25 minutes of action. Embiid made 3-of-9 shots and was a minus-17.
Notes
- This was only the third game all season in which Philadelphia trailed by 20 or more in the first half.
- Kendrick Nunn left in the second half with left calf soreness but will travel with the Heat on Friday to Milwaukee.
- If Duncan Robinson plays in Miami’s final two games, he’ll be the first Heat player to appear in every regular-season game in back-to-back seasons.
- Miami’s Victor Oladipo had successful surgery on his right quadriceps tendon in New York on Thursday.
- Jimmy Butler was 4-for-4 from 3-point range, the second-best such game of his career.
What’s Next?
The Heat, flying high after their big win over the Sixers, will travel to Milwaukee to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Saturday at 8:15 PM EST.