In a pinch, the Sixers bend the Heat

Almost tied in the rankings, the Sixers and the Heat showed that they are very close in the game. Therefore, it was necessary to wait for 7-0 in the last two minutes for the teammates Tyrese McKay (28 points, 11 assists, 5 interceptions) et Joel Embiid (26 points, 11 rebounds) made the difference in this game.

However, we could imagine an easy match for Philadelphia when in the first half Nick Nours’ players were up to 16 units ahead. In addition to the McKay/Embiid duo, Kelly Oubre Jr. (21 points, 8 rebounds) etc VJ Edgecombe (19 points, 8 rebounds) also made a positive contribution and we were headed for a certain breakthrough.

Besides that Bam Adebayo (29 points, 14 rebounds) i Tyler Herro (25 points, 7 assists) waited until the locker room came back to raise their voices and hone their 3-point skills, only to close the gap as the minutes ticked away. Like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, who are less and less influential offensively, the Sixers have started to despise their basketball and forget what their strength was in the second quarter: aggressiveness in the paint and towards the circle.

Grace for Miamiwho for the first (and only) time in the game began to take advantage in “money-time”, on a new basket by Tyler Hero. The moment Philadelphia chose to offer itself the third victory in a row, with a 7-0 “run” initiated by Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. before the last “dagger” by Joel Embiid with 3 points (124-117).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Philly wins again with Joel Embiid. During the season (33-26), the Sixers have just over 55% wins, but when Joel Embiid is around (21-12), this increases to 63%. In the last eight matches, the Cameroonian has won seven times and, even if the adversity was not the worst, this bodes well for the future. Having returned for two games, and was hampered by ribs last night, all he needs to do is find consistency on a physical level, less than two months before the playoffs…

A franchise record for Tyrese McKay. In the first quarter, Tyrese Maxey set a record by overtaking the famous Allen Iverson. Author of 5 3-pointers (all in the first quarter!), the All-Star guard is doing better than “The Answer”‘s 885 in a Sixers jersey, as he now has 887 with Philadelphia. A bit clumsy after the first quarter with 20 points and a 5/5 deficit, “Furious Max” still proved to be decisive with his aggressiveness, passes and cuts.

Norman Powell didn’t last physically. Unsure for this matchup due to groin pain, Norman Powell managed to play 10 minutes in the first half (collecting 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, 1/5 shooting), before not returning in the second half. Due to a strained groin, which at least allowed Tyler Hero to replace him at short notice. And to sign a quality second half, to finish with our best performance in goals and assists since the end of November.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.